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?

"Make Believe"

God has blessed the human mind with the gift of imagination. Young children utilize this gift well, and parents find it marvelously entertaining.

My dad and mom were no exception. Once while watching us children play, Dad recorded his thoughts in the form of a rhyme. More than that, he brought to light the spiritual realities that are at stake when it comes to differentiating fantasy from reality.

Make Believe

I often watch my children play,

And how amazed am I that they

Are occupied for hours on end

With games that start with “Let’s pretend.”

They play at “house”, they play at “store”;

They play at “school”, they play at “war”.

They play at “cops and robbers”, too;

There’s nothing little minds can’t do.

Yes, “let’s pretend” contributes joy

To every little girl and boy;

And drab and dull would childhood be,

If it were not for fantasy.

The thought that weighs upon my mind

Is: Some don’t leave those years behind.

Concerning things “beyond the veil”,

They still let fantasy prevail.

They make believe there is no hell;

They make believe their souls are well;

They reason, under false pretense,

That works will be their sure defense.

Behold, the final, fearful end

Of those, like babes, who still pretend!

For in eternal things, you see,

There is no room for fantasy.

For fantasy oft times conflicts

With that which God on high edicts;

And fiction from the days of youth

Must not displace the written truth.

Because the Bible doth reveal

That mankind’s need for Christ is real.

Imagination has a role,

But not in matters of the soul.

And what of you, good Christian friend?

Do you serve God, or just pretend?

Do you the Holy Spirit grieve,

By service only “make believe”?

Sleepless in Massachusetts

Do you ever have trouble sleeping at night? Last night was one of those nights for us. I had trouble sleeping in the middle of the night, as did a few of my other family members. Whenever I have trouble sleeping, I wonder if God wants me to pray about certain things or perhaps simply to contemplate who He is in the quietness of the night. Some things were undoubtedly weighing on my heart and mind, so I gave these to the Lord, knowing that He cares for me (1 Peter 5:7). If God keeps us awake at night, then clearly He has something better for us than sleep. Maybe it's to pray ... meditate on a truth of Scripture ... reflect on our life as a family ... or simply listen to hear His voice. Whatever the case, we should take full advantage of these opportunities. Yes, we may be tired, but in those moments, God has something more precious for us than sleep.

I'm sure David had many sleepless nights when he was in the wilderness of Judah, being chased by murderous King Saul. (That would be somewhat stressful, don't you think?) Nevertheless David testified to the Lord,

You satisfy me more than the richest feast.

I will praise you with songs of joy.

I lie awake thinking of you,

meditating on you through the night.

Because you are my helper,

I sing for joy in the shadow of your wings.

Psalm 63:5-7

May these verses encourage you to think on the Lord and enjoy His fellowship, even as the world around you sleeps.

The Story of Jonah - Like You've Never Heard It!

The story of Jonah from Corinth Baptist Church on Vimeo.

I Stand Corrected!

Whenever my wife goes away (which is rare), I get a renewed appreciation for all she does here in our home. In a family with four boys (five if you include me), keeping up on laundry alone can be nearly a full-time job!

This is what I was attempting to do last evening with Ethan, one of my younger sons. We brought down from the upstairs the hampers of dirty laundry and dumped it all out on the floor. Ethan helped me separate the white clothing from the colored, and I began throwing the whites into the . . . dryer. After a moment I realized what I was doing, shook my head and sighed, "What am I doing throwing these into the dryer? They go in the washer!" Ethan responded, "Yeah, I know. I wondered what you were doing." To which I responded, "If you knew that, why didn't you say something?" My son replied, "I thought that it wasn't nice for children to correct their parents."

I've thought about that remark several times since. I responded to my son initially by saying, "Well, it's good that you're sensitive to that, and children should certainly show respect to their parents. But even parents make mistakes and need to be corrected. So it's okay to do that as long as you go about it in the right way."

But as I thought on this more, I began wondering if I am as open to correction as I'd like to think I am. On several occasions my children have heard their mother or me apologize and ask for forgiveness if we've done something wrong. But what if we don't see it or acknowledge it? It's still a sin - or at least a mistake (if it doesn't involve wrongdoing) - isn't it? Of course it is. We correct our children all the time!

How important it is, then, to let my children know that I also am not above correction. Parents too are human, and therefore quite fallible and sinful. My children must know that it is commendable to correct me when I'm wrong or to make me aware of my mistakes. Again, children must do so respectfully, in a way that honors the Lord and their parents. But in showing humility, accessibility, and teachability on our part, we are instilling in them by our example the very character traits we want them to possess and express in their own lives.

Even this morning after my oldest teenage son had left for school, I sent him a text message which said - and I quote: "Did u take my good dress belt?! I went to where it and can't find it!!" Now in addition to using the wrong kind of "where" [wear] in my message, I made another mistake. Right after sending the message, I thought, "Great. Now I'll have to wear my older, more casual belt with these dress pants!" As I went to put it on, I made this amazing discovery: I had already put on a belt. My dress belt! I sent my son a second text, saying, "Never mind. I got it. Sorry."

Come to think of it, maybe my daughter didn't take my iPod recharger cord either.

Correction isn't just for kids; parents need it, too. Do your children know that?