I’ve been a fan of The Far Side cartoons for a long time. Of course the question behind the question in this cartoon is “Why did the chicken cross the road?” But what if it was me standing there instead of the chicken – what would MY question be? Here are a few that came to mind as I started pondering on this:
Why should I seek to live a holy and blameless life?
Why should I work at developing an intimate relationship With God?
Why should the motivation of everything I do be “will this be pleasing to the Lord?”
Why should I very loosely hold on to the material possessions that I have and presently enjoy?
Why should I be intentional about serving others and living a sacrificial life?
Why should the advance of the gospel be the focus of my ministry?
So why do I need a reason to do any of these things? The reason has already been given. Christ gave his life as a ransom to pay a debt that I could not pay on my own. Were it not for His sacrificial death on the cross I would be doomed to live a life without an eternal purpose and doomed to die without knowing the One who created me and rescued me. However, because of what He has done for me I am destined for “the other side” and that is reason enough. The only real question at this point is “Will I be a chicken… or will I be a courageous servant of the Most High God?”
20I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. 21For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! 23I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; 24but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. 25Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, 26so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me.
So back to that passage again that I love so much. I want to write about those two bold words above… “and hope.” I don’t think that this was just wishful thinking on Paul’s part. Wishing that perhaps he might in no way be ashamed. I think there was a certainty about his hope. Faith is the “assurance of things hoped for.” There is a certainty about biblical hope. A certainty that is rooted in the foundational event of biblical Christianity – the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Paul had an unshakable hope because he had an unshakable certainty in his future. Listen to some of the things he says about “hope.”
1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And weboast in the hope of the glory of God. Romans 5:1-2
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13
I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you… Ephesians 1:18
To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Colossians 1:27
That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe. 1 Timothy 4:10
11 For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. 12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. Hebrews 10:23
Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1
(I realize there is some debate as to whether or not Paul is the author of the book of Hebrews)
Hope is a wonderful thing. I’m not sure how people can live without hope. At least live intentional and purpose-filled lives. If for some reason you are feeling hopeless (without hope) – then I encourage you to think on these verses and let God begin the process of filling you with a hope that will transform you and give you a life and a future that you can be excited about.
One of the great chapters in Scripture is Hebrews 11. It gives example after example of men who walked the walked and talked the talk – of men who genuinely lived by faith. Verse 6 says: “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.” What does it mean to live by faith day in and day out? I was pondering this a few years ago and wrote a song that helped me to think about the practical implications of living by faith. (I know, I know – you didn’t know that I was a song writer. You probably also don’t know that I am a poet) What would it be like if believers lived by faith in everything they do? How would it change us? How would it change the church? How would it change the world? I’m gonna try ( by the power of the Spirit) to intentionally live by faith – I’m gonna need your help. Feel free to ask me about anything you see me doing – is it faith generated and how so. Here’s the song, enjoy!
WITHOUT FAITH
Faith is the assurance of the things you’re hoping for;
Faith is when you act upon the facts you can’t ignore;
Faith is when you wait upon the future that’s in store;
Faith is when you pray because you’re in a holy war.
Refrain:
And without faith it is impossible
To please our God who set us free
And those who say that they love Jesus
Must live and follow faithfully
Faith is when you stand against the fears that are within;
Faith is when you’ve fallen down but rise to stand again;
Faith is when you boldly stand beside a fallen friend;
Faith is when you stand alone while others choose to sin. (Refrain)
Faith is when you’re watching for the coming of the King;
Faith is when you lose your grip on all your worldly things;
Faith is when you’re not afraid of what tomorrow brings;
Faith is when you feel depressed but still you choose to sing. (Refrain)
It’s been about a year since I have been soundly converted from a regular golfer to a disc golfer. Here are some reasons why I love the sport of disc golf:
Cost is minimal – All you need is one disc to play and a disc only costs about $15. There is no green fee or charge to play a disc golf course. Now admittedly most serious DGers have a bag full of discs but still for under $100 you can get years of play in. Contrast this with golf golf where an average green fee is around $50 for one round.
Takes about an hour – When I played the other kind of golf it was at least a half day event. 4-5 hours for a round was minimal. I can play a round of DG in about an hour if I am playing with one other person – 40 minutes if I play by myself.
Good exercise – Everybody says that walking is good exercise. The course that I generally play on has some hilly terrain so I feel like I am exercising when I play. I had gotten to the point where I almost always rode a cart with golf golf – not much exercise in that.
Fun way for guys to hang out – Guys don’t do good just sitting down over coffee and talking. They need to talk while being distracted by other stuff so that they don’t feel like they HAVE to talk. This is the great thing about DG. Guys can play together and find out about each other’s lives without the pressure of trying to keep a conversation going.
Hole in one – I played golf golf for 40 years and not once did I ever have a hole in one. I have been playing DG for about a year and already I have one hole in one under my belt. Pretty thrilling I must say.
My sons enjoy it – All 3 of my sons enjoy the game and we have a good time playing together. We actually started an annual Reyner Christmas Championship – Scott is the reigning champion.
I can be competitive – When I first started playing I would shoot about +18 for a round. Now I expect to be par or better. My best score to date is -5. And I feel like I can beat anyone I play I with on any given day. It usually doesn’t work out that way but at least I feel like I have a shot. Not bad for an over 50 guy.
Close to home – My home course is only 7 minutes away from my house. I love the fact that I can be at the course so quick.
Play year round – I would never play golf golf if the temperature was under 45 degrees. I can play DG all year. Last year I was out playing when it was 22 degrees. Just throw on a couple layers of clothes and I’m good to go.
Gives me something to ask for for Christmas – I never know what to ask for for Christmas or my birthday. Now that I’m playing DG I can always ask for a new disc that I want to try out. It’s something I will enjoy and an inexpensive gift for someone to buy.
So there you have it. So if you are reading this and have a sudden hankering to try the game out then give me a call. I’d love to get in a game with you and show you why its such a great sport.
Sitting at Panera with my bride on a Saturday morning blogging away…
I’m reading a book by RC Sproul called The Holiness of God – considered to be a modern day classic. He introduced me to this term that I used for my blog title and I was intrigued by it.
Mysterium tremendum et fascinans (“fearful and fascinating mystery”) is a Latin phrase which Rudolf Otto uses in his book The Idea of the Holy to name the awe-some (fascinating and full of awe) mystery that was the object common to all forms of religious experience. Essentially it is the term he used to describe God’s holiness.
Fearful, fascinating, mysterious! I like that. In talking about Isaiah’s encounter with God in Isaiah 6, Sproul says this:
“He saw the holiness of God. For the first time in his life Isaiah really understood who God was. At the same instant, for the first time Isaiah really understood who Isaiah was.”
I know that I have not encountered the holiness of God as Isaiah did. I know that I need to. I need to be gripped by the fearful, fascinating, mysterious God who reveals Himself as The Holy One! I’m pretty sure that until I am I will never have the kind of walk with God that I want nor the kind of influence in ministry that I desire.
Still another way for you who are reading this to pray for me.
If any one were to ask me if I had a “life verse” I would say no – but I do have a life passage. It is these verses from Philippians chapter 1:
20I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. 21For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! 23I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; 24but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. 25Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, 26so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me.
From time to time I will use this blog to unpack why these verses mean so much to me. Today I want to comment on the first 3 words: “I eagerly expect…”
I have always been optimistic – a glass half full kind of guy rather than half empty. But I’m not sure that I have eager expectations the way that Paul did. I want there to be an eagerness in the way that I approach life. A hungry anticipation of what is to come. One of my favorite quotes is by William Carey – generally thought of as the father of the modern missions movement. He said:
“Expect great things from God. Attempt great things for God”
Eager expectation will be followed by courageous attempts! That’s the kind of man that I want to be. Living with eager expectations and acting courageously. I’ve got so very far to go to get there but by God’s grace maybe one day. If you want to pray for me this would be a good way to start. I’m going to eagerly anticipate the transformation.
So here are a few pics from the birthday get together last night. We met at Chili’s at Triangle Town Center in Raleigh. (By the way, in case you are not aware of what the birthday boy’s plans are – he is in the 2+2 MDiv program at Southeastern Seminary and hopes to be overseas in a few years.) We had a great time. Linda and I are still getting used to relating to our kids as adults and not as children. But we are enjoying the learning process.
It is appropriate that the first post on this blog falls on my son’s birthday. Scott is 23 years old today. Tonight our family will celebrate with him at Chili’s in Raleigh. Always fun to get together with the 6 of us. It seems that it happens less and less now that everybody is pursuing their own lives. I am very blessed to have a wife, 3 kids, and a son-in-law who all love God and are following after Him and seeking to live God honoring, gospel centered lives.
Scott, on your birthday I just want to let you know again how glad I am to be your dad. You are a wonderful son and I am proud of the way that you are pursuing God and seeking to have His purposes fulfilled in your life. If things go as you hope they will go then I know we only have a few short years before you are living a long long way from here. I’m already praying that God will give clear direction as to where you will be – and I’m already excited about coming to visit you. Here are a few observations that I have about you:
You have always made choices based on what you want to do and what you believe God wants you to do. You have never tried to be a people pleaser.
I am amazed at your discipline. When you decide to do something you give it your all.
I am also amazed at your hunger to know God and His Word. Your thirst for knowledge puts me to shame.
You have a great sense of humor – I especially notice it in your tweeting.
I love hanging out with you. I wish we got to do it more it often. I am hoping that your beloved Thunder have an awesome year and that KD wins MVP and that Carolina gets back on track in b’ball and mostly that “the joy of the Lord is your strength!”
I can’t pray for you any better than Paul prayed for his Ephesian friends when he said:
“14For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
20Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”
I’ve been a fan of The Far Side cartoons for a long time. Of course the question behind the question in this cartoon is “Why did the chicken cross the road?” But what if it was me standing there instead of the chicken – what would MY question be? Here are a few that came to mind as I started pondering on this:
