So, You Want to Lead?

Back in 2001, I attended the Heart-Cry for Revival conference, a biennial event sponsored by Life Action Ministries. The Lord did a great work of conviction and renewal in my heart, for which I will be forever grateful. Prayer and the preaching of the Word brought about a defining moment of repentance and renewal for me, one that significantly impacted my life and ministry from that point forward.

It's been ten years since I attended that conference. Over the course of the past decade my wife and I have continued to be blessed through Revive magazine, a quarterly publication of Life Action Ministries. Its stated mission is "to ignite movements of revival and authentic Christianity." We have found each issue to be filled with biblical, practical articles written by leading Christian men and women.

In fact, leadership is the key theme of the magazine's most recent issue. Leadership is influence If we want to influence people for God, if we want to impact people for Christ, we must possess the distinctive qualities of Christian leadership. With this in mind, pastor and author Crawford Loritts laid out several "Guiding Principles for Godly Leadership." I have found these to be scripturally based and practically beneficial, which is why I'm sharing them here on the TruthWalk blog. Here they are:

• Do not tell God how to use you. Stay open. Stay flexible.
• Do not compete or compare. No mortal being can take from you waht God as for you. Just pursue what God places in front of you.
• Do not live by your rights, but respond to what is right. People who live by their rights only grow to the level of their demands.
• Do not operate from giftedness; operate from brokenness. Your gifts are not a statement of your identity--they are only something God uses. Your real identity is found in Jesus.
• Do not make decisions based foremost on your gifts. God wants to grow you and bring about new things. He may want you in a situation outside of your gifts so He an do something greater in your heart and life.

Can you think of some references and real-life examples and incidents from Scripture that validate these principles? Why not write them down next to your own reprint of this list?

The Christ of Christmas is the Christ of the Cross

The following article was originally published on December 19, 2008:

My dad has always had a knack for writing good poems. Some of them are hilarious. Others are rather profound. All of them convey a wonderful talent that Dad has put to good use over the years.

One of my dad's earlier poems centered on Christmas. In it, Dad encourages his readers to keep their focus on Christ - not in the sense that the world does this time of season but with the knowledge of who He really is and what He came to do.

Many folks have liked the evangelical thrust of this poem so much, that they have placed miniature copies of it in their Christmas cards. Whether you keep this to yourself or pass it on to others, I pray that you will heed its vital message.

The Christ of the Cross

by James W. Fletcher

Amidst all the tinsel and trappings,

The holiday glitter and gloss,

God help us to see past the wrappings,

Remembering Christ and the cross.

While many grow tear-eyed and tender

When scenes of the stable they see,

To little Lord Jesus they'll render their thanks

But not the Christ of the tree.

Now marvel we must at the manger,

The Babe, and the Bethlehem birth.

But, oh, let us stay not a stranger

To why Jesus entered this earth.

For Christ in the cradle could never

Have saved us from infinite loss;

But praise Him forever and ever -

He's also the Christ of the cross!

"Let Freedom Ring"

So go the lyrics of the hymn, My Country 'Tis of Thee, which served as the de facto national anthem of the United States before the adoption of The Star-Spangled Banner as the official anthem.

Years ago our family lived in Richmond Virginia. The church where I served as an associate pastor was located on Monument Avenue, so named because every few blocks there is a statue that has been erected in honor of an American hero. One such hero is Patrick Henry, a living symbol of America's struggle for liberty, who in March of 1775 uttered those time-honored words, "I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death."

For many Americans, this is exactly what they got. Thousands of common people possessing uncommon valor sacrificed their lives on the altar of freedom. On this 70th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor, we commemorate the 2,402 Americans who lost their lives on that "day of infamy." Like so many other soldiers who have fought for our freedom, including those who are fighting the war on terror today, countless Americans have sacrificed their lives so that their children and succeeding generations might live as free men.

This is the same reason that Jesus Christ laid down His life for us. "It was for freedom that Christ set us free" (Galatians 5:1). Yet it wasn't political freedom that Christ won for us, but spiritual freedom. Jesus himself declared, "If you abide in my word, they you are truly disciples of mine; and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free" (John 8:31-32).

What are the practical implications of this? We don't have to guess, for Scripture tells us: "Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as slaves of God" (1 Peter 2:16). Here in America, one cannot be a free-man if he is a slave. But in the kingdom of God, the only way one can be truly free is to become a slave of Christ.

William Penn wrote, “Men must be governed by God, or they will be ruled by tyrants.” Sin is the cruelest of tyrants. How wonderful it is to know, experience, and declare the Good News of Christmas: "She will bear a Son; and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins" (Matthew 1:21).

Kids Can't Sit on Santa's Lap? - A Sad Consequence of Child Sexual Abuse

While watching the news this evening, I noticed that much of it was dominated by the child sexual abuse scandals and allegations. Accusations against former Penn State football coach Jerry Sandusky continue to mount, the most recent charge coming from one of his own grandchildren. Now allegations have been raised against Bernie Fine, assistant basketball coach at Syracuse University.

Then there was the news on the sentencing of Michael Jackson's doctor, who administered a deadly dose of a powerful sedative to treat the pop star's insomnia. Yet most would readily agree that lack of sleep was far from being the greatest of Michael's problems. Rather, it was the child molestation charges that followed Jackson till the day he died.

Our family was living and ministering in the Boston area when Cardinal Law resigned in 2002 over the sexual abuse crisis that Law came to symbolize. At that time many parishioners became disillusioned with the Roman Catholic Church and either abandoned religion altogether or began to check out various Protestant churches that formerly were considered anathema.

Going back to the allegations against the college coaches, my wife made a key observation, saying that she would have never guessed that a football coach or some other guy who comes across as "a man's man" would be involved in such a scandal. It raises the question 'Whom can you trust?'

Apparently not Santa. At least that's the way that the British Department of Education sees it. The Telegraph reported that "parents who have offered to don the red suit have been told that they must not allow youngsters to sit on their laps...." While some consider this restriction as going too far, school officials are standing by their decision, saying that they would rather err on the safe side.

While I'm convinced that heavier restrictions should be placed on coaches, priests and teachers rather than Santa (whose time with children is spent with swarms of parents and other adults standing right there), I can appreciate the growing national and international concern for protecting children from sexual molestation.

The Washington Times divulged some unnerving statistics:

As victims of childhood molestation boys face significant and unique barriers in reporting what they intuitively know is inappropriate behavior. Approximately 1,460 children died in 2005 due to child abuse or neglect. Seventy-nine percent of these children were under the age of 4 years old.

Statistically one in eight males are a victim of abuse and a child has to tell seven adults of suspected abuse before he or she is taken seriously.... Rates of suicide among male victims of childhood sexual abuse are 14 times higher than the norm and they are 38 times more likely to die from a drug overdose.

Male victims are also prone to more aggressive behavior than female victims. A male victim is 53% more likely to be arrested as a juvenile compared to others and 38% more likely to be arrested for violent crime as an adult. Victims face a lifetime battle with depression, anger, addiction and possibly suicide....

Statistics and news stories such as these all remind me afresh of just how vital children's ministry is in the local church. I am thankful to have pastored churches that take this ministry seriously by screening all workers, establishing strict guidelines, building trust with parents, keeping one's integrity in tact, and, best of all, showing the pure and holy love of Christ to the children under their care. Despite the many tragic news stories aired daily, there are also unreported acts of genuine love and kindness, not one of which escapes the Lord's attention.

After all, it was Jesus who said,

Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea....

See to it that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven. What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? And if he finds it, truly, I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. So it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.

- Matthew 18:5-6, 10-14

A Song and a Prayer

Last Friday we had the privilege of seeing our oldest son Matthew graduate from USMC boot camp in Parris Island, SC. This was the culmination of nearly 13 weeks of intense and often grueling training, during which time the only means of communication between us and our son was through "snail-mail" (the U.S. postal system). No phone calls, e-mail, facebook, or Skype - just handwritten letters. Not being able to talk with our son was one of the most difficult aspects of our separation during this training time. At times Matthew's letters had a touch of humor; sometimes they expressed real discouragement and anxiety. In each and every letter, Matthew expressed his continuing need for prayer.

So, like I said, we were thrilled to be reunited with Matthew at his graduation from boot camp, and to bring him home with us for the Thanksgiving holiday. Soon into our long drive home (almost a thousand miles), Matthew asked if he could use my iPod to play some songs over the van speakers. The first song he played was "I Know You're There," by Casting Crowns. The words of the chorus are as follows:

I know You're there,

I know You see me;

You're the air I breathe,

You are the ground beneath me;

I know You're there,

I know You hear me;

I can find You anywhere,

I know You're there.

Matthew said that he thought of this song all the time as he was going through training. Many other Christian songs came to mind as well. This surprised me, as Matthew did not listen primarily to Christian music throughout his high school years, even right up until the time he left for boot camp. Once in a blue moon he would listen to such songs, but in most cases he heard them when we (his mother and I) played listened to them in the house or car.

So I asked Matthew, "Did you remember all the lyrics to this song and the others?" "Yes," he replied. I thought this was really odd, since I had listened to these songs far more than Matthew yet couldn't remember many of the lyrics. Matthew shared that he was equally amazed at this; he wondered how on earth he remembered all the words.

We concluded that the Lord brought them to mind, and that this was in response to the prayers of so many that Matthew would be reminded of, and feel a keen sense of, God's presence throughout his time of training. In his loneliest, most difficult hours, Matthew's heart was renewed and strengthened through the song quoted above, plus the following song entitled "God Will Lift Up Your Head":

Give to the wind your fear

Hope and be undismayed

God hears your sighs and counts your tears

God will lift up, God will lift up, lift up your head.

Through waves and clouds and storms

He gently clears the way

Wait, because in His time, so shall this night

Soon end in joy, soon end in joy,

soon end in joy, soon end in joy.

God will lift up your head.

God will lift up your head.

God will lift up your head.

The above song is based on Psalm 3, wherein David describes God's protection, faithfulness, and encouragement in the face of insurmountable difficulties. Despite his overwhelming circumstances, David testified, "But You, O Lord, are a shield for me, my glory and the One who lifts up my head (Psalm 3:3).

How good it is to know that God is always there for us, His children. He has promised never to leave us nor forsake us (Heb. 13:5), and He has made good on that promise. His Spirit brings to mind such promises and renews our heart as He fills it. What an amazing thing it is also to see the connection between being filled with the Spirit and making melody in our hearts to the Lord (see Eph. 5:18-20).

So much more could be said, but I'll stop here and thank the Lord once again for His abiding presence and for answered prayer. May we all rejoice in these wonderful truths this Thanksgiving season as well as through each and every day.

Happy Birthday, Billy -- and Thank You

Yesterday Billy Graham celebrated his 93rd birthday. I still remember the time that I got to meet Dr. Graham in person at a mutual friend's home. What an unforgettable experience that was.

Over the course of his life, Billy Graham has met personally with twelve U.S. Presidents and has preached the gospel in person to more people than any other person in history. By the time he had turned ninety, Graham's lifetime audience, including radio and television broadcasts, topped 2.2 billion.

According to the BGEA staff, more than 3.2 million people have responded to Billy's invitation at the crusades to accept Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. Countless others have received Christ upon hearing the Gospel preached by Billy over the airwaves or other means of communication.

One such man was my dad. Yesterday I asked him to share how he personally came to faith in Christ through the preaching of Billy Graham. Here's the story, in my dad's own words:

Billy Graham will always have a warm place in my heart, since he was the human vehicle through whom I came to Christ.

It was September 1958, and I had just been discharged a month early from the U.S. Marine Corps in order to attend college at the University of Richmond. My brother and sister-in-law, both Christians, had invited me to stay with them until I could find a place. One afternoon after class, I was sitting in a corner of their living room, thinking about nothing in particular. Then my sister-in-law began recording a radio message by Rev. Graham, intending to send the tape to her unsaved father. So far as I know, her father never received Christ, but God had someone else in mind. The message being preached that day was about King Agrippa, and I can remember to this day the Word smiting my heart when Agrippa told Paul "Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian." The Holy Spirit did His convicting work, I repented of my sin, and was saved then and there.

Countless others have been won to the Lord by Billy Graham, but I'm sure he was never aware that in September, 1958, a young college freshman received forgiveness from the Lord who used that message intended for someone else.

"The Exorcist" Turns Forty

This Halloween I discovered something that might surprise most people: The Exorcist was not intended to frighten its audience.

You're probably thinking, "Yeah, right. It only scared the living daylights out of how many people?"

Still, it's true -- at least according to William Peter Blatty, the guy who wrote both the novel and the screenplay. Before writing The Exorcist, Blatty had been a comic novelist. But while he was a student at Georgetown University in 1941, he got wind of an actual case of demonic possession going on nearby. Blatty remembers thinking, "Someday, somebody's got to write about this, because if an investigation were to prove that possession is real, what a help it would be to the struggling faith of possibly millions, for if there were demons, I reasoned, then why not angels? Why not God?"

Blatty's intention was to write a "novel of faith in the popular dress of a thrilling and suspenseful detective story -- in other words, a sermon that no one could possibly sleep through...." Well, my guess is that most who have seen The Exorcist have not slept through it!

When I was a freshman in Bible college, the professor who taught the angelology/demonology course showed excerpts from The Exorcist to the class. I remember little to none of it -- probably because I had my eyes closed. I had always questioned his wisdom in showing the film, but now that I understand more of its backdrop, I get his reasoning. That's not to say that I agree with it, but I do get it.

Having just preached on Mark 1:21-34 this past Lord's Day, I'm convinced that the record of Scripture provides all the fascinating, factual accounts that we need to understand that demons are both real and powerful. They can completely overcome a person, dominating his thoughts, speech, and behavior. People tormented and possessed by demons tend to be the most repulsive and pitiable. Yet one word from Jesus, "the Holy One of God" (Mark 1:24), sets the demons packing and the people free.

Interestingly, Blatty discovered in his research "that in every period of recorded history, and in every cluture and part of the world, there have been consistent accounts of possession and its symptoms going all the way back to ancient Egyptian chronicles." We who know the Word of God should not be surprised at this, for since mankind's fall into sin, "the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one" (1 John 5:1). But "for this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil" (1 John 3:8). Melvin Tinker has noted, "Nowhere in the New Testament are believers ever depicted as living in servile fear of demons, that is precisely the state from which they have been delivered by the gospel."

That's "good news" worth celebrating.

Following Jesus: Is It Really a Sacrifice?

This past Lord's Day I preached on Mark 1:14-20, wherein the Gospel writer recounts Jesus' proclamation of the gospel of the kingdom and His call to four fishermen. We saw that the call to discipleship is a summons to follow Christ, which demands commitment. In considering this point we reflected on how these fishermen left their nets as well as their families "immediately" in order to follow Jesus. We think of their sacrifices and sufferings. Indeed, they gave up a lot. But we also thought about what they gained -- eternal life, forgiveness of sins, the joy and peace that characterizes God's kingdom, plus abilities and opportunities to make a global impact for the sake of the Gospel. In short, they became God's world-changers!

After preaching on this theme Sunday morning, I was doing some light reading later that same day from a book a friend had lent me. In it I found the following quote from the famous missionary David Livingstone. This is an excerpt from a speech he delivered at Cambridge University on December 4, 1857:

People talk of the sacrifice I have made in spending so much of my life in Africa.... Away with the word in such a view and with such a thought! It is emphatically no sacrifice. Say rather it is a privilege. Anxiety, sickness, suffering, or danger now and then with a foregoing of the common conveniences and charities of this life may make us pause and cause the spirit to waver and the soul to sink; but let this only be for a moment. All these are nothing when compared with the glory which shall be revealed in and for us. I never made a sacrifice.

Livingstone realized that serving God is a win-win situation; we'll always end up with far more than we gave up. Jesus Himself promised, "Everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life" (Matt. 19:29).

Pastor Mark Batterson reminds us, "There is an old aphorism: 'No one ever bet too much on a winning horse.' I know this for sure: The only regrets we'll have at the end of our lives will be that we didn't seek God more or seek God sooner."

I agree. Now I'm sitting here wondering why I ever referred to this as "light reading." Actually, it's pretty heavy-duty stuff! And immensely practical, too. The bottom line is: if this is true, what difference will it make in my life? What difference will it make in yours?

Five Minutes That Could Help Your Marriage

This past Lord's Day, I had the difficult task of bringing before the congregation an unresolved sin issue involving a marriage. When such an issue is raised publicly (in accordance with Matt. 18), it has a way of waking people up to the painful challenges they're facing in their own marriages. Christian husbands and wives realize that if they do not get serious about resolving trouble and tension in their relationship, they may wind up estranged from one another, the Lord, and the church fellowship.

I struggled with the title of this particular post because I don't want to give the impression that I advocate a "quick-fix" approach to serious problems in marriage. Real, lasting change takes time and a lot of help from the Holy Spirit, as we trust Him to help us learn and live out God's truth as revealed in Scripture.

Still, the following five-minute video might be just what you need to re-focus and recommit yourself to the covenant of marriage. Three theologians, who have been married to their wives for a combined total of 116 years, offer some valuable biblically-based counsel on the covenant of marriage. I found it helpful and hope that you will, too. For more information and helpful resources, visit The Gospel Coalition website.

Piper, Carson, and Keller on Sustaining the Covenant of Marital Love from The Gospel Coalition on Vimeo.

A Prayer for "The Family"

The Valley of Vision is a collection of Puritan prayers and devotions by anonymous authors. I use this resource to "beef up" my own prayer life with greater biblical substance. You should never read these while in a rush, for at least two reasons: (1) the language is a bit antiquated, which requires the reader to slow down a bit to grasp what's being said; (2) virtually every line is so rich with scriptural truth and theology, that to read it superficially or casually would seem to be inappropriate or irreverent.

This morning I read slowly, deliberately, and meditatively on the following prayer entitled "The Family." I found it to be wonderfully convicting, comforting, and challenging. It resonated with the desires of my heart to seek out God's best for those whom I love. I share it with you in the hopes that it will stir your heart as well.

O sovereign Lord,

Thou art the Creator-Father of all men, for thou has made and dost support them;

Thou are the special Father of those who know, love, and honour thee,

who find thy yoke easy, and thy burden light,

thy work honourable,

thy commandments glorious.

But how little thy undeserved goodness has affected me!

how imperfectly have I improved my religious privileges!

how negligent have I been in doing good to others!

I am before thee in my trespasses and sins,

have mercy on me,

and may thy goodness bring me to repentance.

Help me to hate and forsake every false way,

to be attentive to my condition and character,

to bridle my tongue,

to keep my heart with all diligence,

to watch and pray against temptation,

to mortify sin,

to be concerned for the salvation of others.

O God, I cannot endure to see the destruction of my kindred.

Let those that are united to me in tender ties

be precious in thy sight and devoted to thy glory.

Sanctify and prosper my domestic devotion,

instruction, discipline, example,

that my house may be a nursery for heaven,

my church the garden of the Lord,

enriched with trees of righteousness

of thy planting, for thy glory;

Let not those of my family who are amiable, moral, attractive,

fall short of heaven at last;

Grant that the promising appearance of a tender conscience,

soft heart, the alarms and delights of thy Word,

be not finally blotted out,

but bring forth judgment unto victory

in all whom I love.

Music to a Pastor's Ears

The other day one of our former church members was in town and stopped in to see me. In the course of our conversation, I asked how her extended family was doing, which prompted her to tell me about an incident that took place a few years ago.

Her aged father-in-law, who lives in town but attends a theologically liberal, mainline Protestant church, came to our church one Sunday morning. As one of our associate pastors opened the service with a Scripture reading, the lady's father-in-law asked, "What's that sound?" She listened carefully but couldn't hear anything but the pastor's voice coming over the sound system. "Is it a buzzing in the speakers?" she asked. "No, it's not really a buzzing sound," he replied. Then he immediately proceeded to say, "Wait. It just stopped. What was that?"

She didn't have a clue.

Later on in the service, the father-in-law heard this "sound" again and told his daughter-in-law so. Again, she couldn't hear anything and began wondering if he was "losing it." After a few seconds he said, "There! It just stopped again! You couldn't hear it?" "No," she replied, just a bit concerned.

When I got up to preach and announced the sermon text, the aged gentleman turned to his daughter-in-law and said rather emphatically, "There it is again! Listen! Can't you hear it?"

It was then that she heard it. What her father-in-law had been hearing on-and-off again throughout the course of the service was people turning the pages of their Bibles!

This man was not used to hearing this sound, for in his church, people for the most part did not bring their Bibles, and the minister did not preach from the Bible.

How blessed I am to hear the rustling of pages each Lord's Day. It is music to this pastor's ears, and a sound I don't ever want to take for granted. Biblical exposition is cherished in my church, and for that I praise God.

Who's Making the Flat Cakes?

While reading through the book of First Chronicles, I came across the following section that described the responsibilities of some of the Levites:

Some of them had charge of the utensils of service, for they were required to count them when they were brought in and taken out. Others of them were appointed over the furniture and over all the holy utensils, also over the fine flour, the wine, the oil, the incense, and the spices. Others, of the sons of the priests, prepared the mixing of the spices, and Mattithiah, one of the Levites, the firstborn of Shallum the Korahite, was entrusted with making the flat cakes.

- 1 Chronicles 9:28-31

One of those mind-blowing passages, right? Actually, if you're like me, you were probably wondering, "Who cares? What's the big deal? Why all the boring details?"

Yet the other side of my brain says, "Wait. The Bible assures us that 'all Scripture is God-breathed and is profitable ..." (2 Tim. 3:16). So what benefit might the above passage bring us? The ESV (English Standard Version) study note provides some wonderful insight along these lines:

The responsibilities of vv. 28-31 may strike the modern reader as obscure and dull. Perhaps they seemed so to the ancient reader as well. Nevertheless, the whole work of the sanctuary depended on the faithfulness of these men; and all of God's people may take comfort from this reminder that God both notices and remembers those who faithfully perform routine tasks in service to him. The mention of these servants was probably a source of pride to their later descendants.

Isn't that great? I love that! What an encouragement! Church ministry can involve any number of seemingly mundane tasks, such as changing diapers, trimming bushes, raking leaves, running the sound system, passing out bulletins, serving snacks to kids, collecting the offering, and numerous other acts of service. And God takes note of each one! He faithfully rewards every person who serves others in His name.

While others may overlook, fail to acknowledge or appreciate our acts of Christian service (and we all do, because no one is perfect), we can carry on our work with joy because God knows who's making the flat cakes!

No wonder Scripture tells us, "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Jesus Christ" (Col. 3:23-24). Amen!

It's a Sink, Not a Urinal

Okay, I admit, it's kind of an odd name for a blog article. But stick with me for a moment, because there really is a "moral to the story."

Every Tuesday I go to a local engineering company where I serve as the corporate chaplain. Rarely do I need to use the restroom while I'm there, but every now and then nature calls. Such was the case today. So I went into the men's restroom and made the same mistake I almost always do. I keep thinking that the large metal trough to my left is some kind of "community urinal" when in fact it is the sink. The first time I went into this bathroom, I approached this trough and was about to micturate (yep, that's the formal term), when I saw a man stick his hands in it, push some kind of petal with his feet, and out came water through holes that I hadn't seen. Whew. That would have been really bad if he had walked in just a few seconds later.

I have to remind myself nearly every time I go into that restroom that the trough to my left is a sink, not a urinal!

What's the point to my telling you all this? Well, I think there's a parallel to the sink and the sanctuary. Both are intended to be resources for cleanliness. A key reason we gather with the saints for worship is to spur one another on to love and good works (Heb. 10:24-25). We go to build up the body of Christ, so that we grow up to maturity in Him (Eph. 4:12-16). We come to pray, confess our faults to one another, hear the preached Word, and press on in our walk with Christ.

Yet if we're not careful, we can treat the Lord's house like a urinal. Instead of cleansing ourselves, we can contaminate others with ungodly attitudes and words. Just as urine and other waste products are undesirable to the body and irritating to the skin and eyes, so are thoughtless words and carnal attitudes to the body of Christ. When we criticize, complain, and gossip, we are "urinating in the sink," so to speak.

Maybe this is somewhat of a crude illustration, but I couldn't let it pass (pun intended). Please take it to heart. When you come to church, treat it like a sink, not a urinal.

Sweet Suffering

Cancer. Just the sound of the word fills our hearts with fear and dread. It's a terrifying diagnosis. For many of us, this disease threatens to rob us of our health, our energy, our vitality, and our sense of well-being. It endangers our ability to provide for ourselves and take care of our families. It may steal our identity, our sense of purpose and significance. It can ruin our best-laid plans, destroy our hopes and dreams. It has taken friends and loved ones from us far too soon.

Cancer is a powerful enemy. But it's not all-powerful. . . .

This is the opening quote of a gospel tract entitled What Cancer Can't Do. I keep a supply of them on hand because I regularly come across people who are suffering from cancer or know somebody who is. Of course the point of the tract is: God is the one who is more powerful than cancer, and He is the one "who comforts us in all our affliction" (2 Cor. 1:4).

Just this morning I was at a local gym working out, when I ran into an older brother in the Lord. He doesn't go to our church, but is a member at another evangelical church closer to Boston. I met this guy some time ago, and as we talked, he informed me that his wife has cancer. I promised to pray for her, and even paid a visit to their house on one occasion.

This morning I asked him how she was doing, and he said she's finishing up chemotherapy treatment that has been going on for about a year. After the first cycle of treatments, the doctors found that the tumor had not shrunk but had actually grown. Needless to say, this news was very disheartening to this couple who have been married for nearly half a century.

Yet as this brother updated me on this difficult situation, he said, "But we have our devotions each morning out in the sunroom. That's been our sweetest time of the day as we read our Bible and pray together. Some time ago my wife told me that she's changed the nature of her prayer. At first she was praying, 'Lord, take this cancer away.' Now we're praying, 'Lord, do whatever You want. We give this cancer to You.'"

He said this with a lump in his throat and tears in his eyes. This brother and his dear wife have found a sweetness in their suffering.

This experience is not unique to them, but is the "mournful joy" of every believer in Christ. The apostle Paul said it perfectly:

We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.... So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

- 2 Cor. 4:8-9, 16-18

Shortly after returning from the gym, I found out that another Christian brother had just died of heart disease. He was in the prime of his life and leaves behind his dear wife and two young boys. Thankfully, his wife knows Christ, as do other members in his family. For them, there is a sweetness in their suffering.

John Bunyan, author of Pilgrim's Progress, wrote, "In times of affliction we commonly meet with the sweetest experiences of the love of God."

Thank you, Father, that nothing can separate us from your love, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord, and that we are more than conquerors through him (Rom. 8:37-39).

A Minister's Millstone

Vitriolic minister Fred Phelps and his hate-crazed congregation of Westoro Baptist Church (WBC) have made the headlines once again. This time it was for picketing at the funeral of 20-year-old U.S. Marine Lance Corporal Matthew A. Snyder, who died from a non-combat-related vehicle accident in Iraq on March 3, 2006. The WBC members held up placards that said "Thank God for Dead Soldiers, "Semper Fi Fags," "God Hates You," and "America Is Doomed." Though Matthew Snyder was not gay, the Westboro Baptist congregation insists that U.S. military deaths are God's vengeance on the United States of America for its tolerance of homosexuality.

Albert Snyder, Matthew's father, sued Fred Phelps for defamation, intrusion upon seclusion, publicity given to private life, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Mr. Snyder, who said of his son, "He was a hero and he was the love of my life," said of the WBC protesters, "They turned this funeral into a media circus and they wanted to hurt my family. They wanted their message heard and they didn't care who they stepped over. My son should have been buried with dignity, not with a bunch of clowns outside."

Last Wednesday, the Supreme Court ruled 8-1 that the Westboro congregation was constitutionally protected from Snyder's lawsuit, in light of the First Amendment.

This Wednesday, students here on the South Shore of Massachusetts partook in a discussion of this case, with the primary question being: Does the First Amendment right to freedom of speech protect protesters at a funeral, even though they are intentionally inflicting emotional distress on the family of the deceased? The two sides to this debate are summed up by the school administration as "Snyder's (The Dad) Argument" and "Phelp's (The Church) Argument."

The fall-out from this whole fiasco is apparent, summed up well by a Christian friend who serves on the school faculty/staff:

"This church is smearing the name of "Baptist" and more importantly Christianity. Most of the teachers and students will, in my guess, side with the father and will have further "cemented" in their minds that Christians are an intolerant, unloving, homophobic group."

Phelps and his congregation would do well to heed the warnings of the God they think they know so well. Jesus declared,

"Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the heart of the sea. Woe to the world for temptations to sin! For it is necessary that temptations come, but woe to the one by whom the temptation comes!"

- Matthew 18:6-7

The "little ones" Jesus refers to in these verses are identified as new, impressionable believers. Jesus compares these spiritual children to physical children, for whom He also cares immensely, saying to His disciples, "Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven" (Matt. 19:14).

In commenting on Matthew 18:7 (quoted above), William MacDonald writes,

"The world, the flesh, and the devil are leagued to seduce and pervert. But if a person becomes an agent for the forces of evil, his guilt will be great."

Indeed, Jesus says it would be better to die a violent death (i.e., having a millstone wrapped tied around your neck and be drowned in the ocean) than to destroy the innocence of another.

If anyone will suffer the judgment of God for such an offense, it will be a "minister" who in the name of God convinces children of his own congregation to carry hateful placards that grossly misrepresent the God of the Bible, and who creates confusion in the minds of school kids who are now convinced that all Baptists are homophobic bigots.

How do we counteract such atrocities? By faithfully living Gospel-centered lives. How important it is to show the world around us the essence of true Christianity! By God's grace we can do this, as we are filled with His Spirit and live according to His Word.

The evil influence of Fred Phelps and his disillusioned followers will be overcome by power of the gospel. May this encourage us and embolden us as Jesus' true ambassadors.

"Though He Died, He Still Speaks"

This quote, taken from Hebrews 11:4, is on my heart this morning.

That's because last night, while lying in bed, before turning the light out, I was reading James Boice’s commentary on Matthew 11, in preparation for my upcoming sermon. Dr. Boice’s insights reflected a robust theology, a pastor’s heart, an evangelistic spirit, and a sensitivity to the human condition.

For a moment my thoughts drifted back to 1999. I was in my first year of ministry at First Baptist Church, and that fall I had attended a Bible conference at another local church less than thirty minutes away. James Boice was the keynote speaker, so I had the privilege of hearing (and meeting) him in person. This was quite an honor for me, for I’ve had a great deal of respect for Dr. Boice over the years. He became the pastor of Tenth Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia in 1968, the year I was born. Moreover, Dr. Boice decided at the age of twelve to become a minister of the gospel. This is exactly how old I was when I sensed God’s call to full-time gospel ministry.

Just months after I had the joy of meeting Dr. Boice and hearing him expound the Word of God, he was diagnosed as having an aggressive form of liver cancer. He found this out on Good Friday, just two hours before he was scheduled to preach. Dr. Boice mounted the pulpit of Tenth Presbyterian Church for the last time on Sunday, May 7, 2000. He announced to his stunned congregation that he was rapidly dying of cancer. He said to them,

Should you pray for a miracle? Well, you’re free to do that, of course. My general impression is that the God who is able to perform miracles--and he certainly can--is also able to keep you from getting the problem in the first place. . . . Above all, I would say pray for the glory of God. If you think of God glorifying himself in history and you say, “Where in all of history has God most glorified himself?” the answer is that he did it at the cross of Jesus Christ, and it wasn’t by delivering Jesus from the cross, though he could have. . . . And yet that’s where God is most glorified.”

On June 15, 2000, at the age of sixty-one, James Montgomery Boice died peacefully in his sleep, just eight weeks after his diagnosis. Exactly two weeks earlier, my own mother had peacefully entered into the Lord’s presence.

How do you think you would react if you were given news of your impending death? Would your heart and mind go immediately to the glory of God as revealed through the cross of Jesus Christ? The apostle Paul lived with the cross always in view. He boasted only in the cross (Gal. 6:14) and made his life count for Christ.

Right now I am forty-two. I may not live to be forty-three. Perhaps I’ll enter the Lord’s presence when I’m fifty-two, as was my mom, or maybe I’ll go to heaven when I’m sixty-one, like Dr. Boice. Whatever the case, one thing is for sure: “Only one life will soon be past; only what’s done for Christ will last.”

I often think of Moses' prayer, “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom” (Ps. 90:12). What my wife and I want--and what we want for our children and church family--is to make every moment count for Christ. Our desire is, as Jim Elliot put it, is to live to the hilt every situation we believe to be the will of God. We must repent daily over self-interest, squandered time, vain pursuits, trivial interests and activities. We are put here for a purpose, and we fulfill our life’s mission by our faith in the Son of God, who loved us and gave Himself for us.

Limping Along

Some time ago, our pet beagle Buster injured his right hind leg. Ever since then, he's been walking with a limp. Because he's not using the one leg at all, its muscles are shriveling up. Though the other hind leg has gotten more muscular, the limp is throwing his whole body off kelter. So this is not a good thing.

I thought of this the other night while talking to one of our faithful nursery workers here at church. She loves the children and has a real heart for that area of ministry. But she shared a prayer request that more church members would serve on the rotation. She then commented, "Doesn't this have to do with that statistic about 20 percent of the people doing 80 percent of the work?" The problem, she noted, is that even the most dedicated servants get tired and discouraged over time when there's no one to help them.

That's when I thought of Buster. It's not good for him not to be using that leg for so long. It signals that there's a problem that needs to be checked out. Perhaps he needs surgery. At the very least he needs therapy. Even though his limp on the one side has made his other hind leg stronger, even that will eventually feel the wear and tear of carrying the burden of his body weight. God designed dogs to walk on all fours, not three out of four. Over time, this limp will affect his other joints as well. Why? Because everything is off balance, due to compensating for his lame leg.

If we're not careful, something similar can happen to the body of Christ. The Bible says that God has given each member of Christ's body certain spiritual gifts so that the body can function properly and grow to maturity as each member does its part (see 1 Cor. 12; Eph. 4:15-16). Of course the negative implication is that if each member does not do its part, then the whole body suffers. Everyone else is trying to pick up the slack, doing things they weren't intended to. As a result, the other members get worn out, the ministry becomes dysfunctional, and the whole body suffers.

At our church, we strive for an "every-member ministry." That's the way God designed the body to run -- not limp. As I consider our many members and ministries, I'm thankful that most people are plugged in. Yet I can see a few areas here and there that are lacking (or should I say limping), and needlessly so. If we all exercise our spiritual muscles, putting them to good use in the service of our Lord, the body of Christ will not be lacking ... or limping!

So, how are you using your gifts to build up the body of Christ?

We Will Hold On

On Sunday mornings our congregation is working through the Gospel of Matthew. Right now we're in the midst of chapter ten, where Jesus sends out the Twelve to "the lost sheep of the house of Israel." He warns them of the persecution that's going to come their way for preaching the gospel of the kingdom. The good news for believers is that when persecution comes, we don't need to panic. All we have to do is follow God's plan.

In one sense that's rather simple, isn't it. But it's by no means easy. In fact, it's impossible apart from God's power. That's why it's so important to hold on to His love. Paul Baloche has a song by that title, which will be introduced to our congregation this coming Lord's Day. But in the meantime, I thought it would be good for our church body--and anyone else who visits this blog site--to understand the central message of the song. We live in a culture which will hate us for the gospel's sake. When persecution comes, will you hold on to His love? I hope you will, for His love is better than life (Ps. 63:3).

R. C. Sproul Addresses the Issue of Abortion

Theologian R. C. Sproul talks about the 20th anniversary edition of his book, Abortion: A Rational Look at an Emotional Issue.

R.C. Sproul Discusses the Issue of Abortion from Ligonier on Vimeo.

My Son's Resolution

My son Ethan is a student at one of our public middle schools. Today he brought home a paper that he had written. The assigned theme was New Year's resolutions.

I was blessed by what Ethan wrote (I had no idea what it was until today), and he granted me permission to share it with the TruthWalk readership. Many of you know my son Ethan, and I think you will appreciate most of all what he wrote. Here it is verbatim:

Many people use New Years to resolve things.

I resolved to do my Devotions faithfully to the Lord. Well I am Reading and praying, I or you should know who we are reading about and who we are talking to well I am praying. The reason I choose this is that I know that it is important to do every single day. When I do my devotions I should always know what I am reading about, and even though we don't like reading that much it is worth it. When I do my devotions I rush sometimes so I can go on the computer or watch TV. But now that I am writing this I really know that I should take my time and just really think of who he is. Where God is right now there is no madness, sadness, arguing, swaring [sic], fighting or Bullying, there is none of that in heaven. So this is why I am picking that should do my devotions and be like him and know him every single day.

What did Ethan's teacher say about his paper? One word: "Good." She also asked where he went to church. Pretty cool, huh? It seems to me a seed was planted. May God be pleased to water it and bring forth fruit.

By the way, how is your devotional life?