5pointers

In a few hours Larry, myself and another friend will be departing the friendly confines of West Lafayette, IN and heading off to the DG National Conference in Minneapolis, MN.   I’m sure this trip will be full of fellowship, solid teaching, and plenty of fun, so  I’m  primed and ready to go.

Another thing I’m excited about (maybe more the conference) is the discounted books!  Feel free to let me know if there is a specific book you want me to pick up.  I should have access to the Internet, so shoot me an email or leave a comment on this post and I’ll try to accommodate you.

Sometime next week I’m planning to do a post on the conference.  It may take me a few days or so to process some of the information so don’t wait expectantly for it.

May the Lord be glorified this weekend!

A friend of mine once told me about his experience reading the biography of Adoniram Judson, the first American foreign missionary. This friend told me how he wept while reading of Judson’s suffering for the Gospel, and how anger in his heart rose toward God for the pain Adoniram endured. Certainly seeing the loss of loved ones and for a time, even Judson’s mind, causes us to ask deep questions and even wrestle with God to get answers.

W hile anger towards God is not right (this friend didn’t think so either by the way), I have had a different reaction while reading Courtney Anderson’s To the Golden Shore. I have wept after reading of Judson’s dying loved ones, imprisonment, mental anguish, and brutality recieved at the hands of the people he longs to see awakened. However, I have not gotten angry with God (praise him for that!), instead I have become irate at the Burmans. In my mind I argue with them; “You foolish Burmans! How could you treat Judson, an envoy of Christ, like this! How could you be so wicked and wrongheaded!” On and on I could go about thier stupidity and wickedness.

But last night it hit me, all my anger towards the Burmans showed my own heart’s emptyness. Was I not an enemy of God once? Did I not hate him and his elect not too long ago? Was it not men just like me who murdered the Son of God?! By the very measure I applied to the Burmans, I was condemned. Suddenly I remembered:

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven.”(Matthew 5:43-45 ESV)

“but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”(Romans 5:8, ESV)

“And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience– among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ–by grace you have been saved– and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”(Ephesians 2:1-10, ESV)

May God change my heart and yours to love our enemies as a result of Christ’s work in us – the giving of new, gracious, merciful, Father-like, hearts.

Thanks Mark for taking the time to move us to our new home. Maybe this will inspire me and others to post more…

All the work and effort is appreciated! Not to mention it looks good!

Last night at study we discussed the crucifixion and resurrection narratives, as well as Jesus’ final discourse and themes from the entire gospel. In talking through the parables in chapter 25, I referenced this R.M. McCheyne poem that I love. I hope you are edified by it.

TEN virgins, clothed in white,
 The Bridegroom went to meet;
Their lamps were burning bright
 To guide his welcome feet.

Five if the band were wise --
 Their lamps with oil filled high;
The rest this care despise,
 And take their vessels dry.

Long time the Lord abode -
 Down came the shades of night -
The weary virgins nod,
 And then they sleep outright.

At midnight came the cry
 Upon their startled ear -
Behold the Bridegroom nigh,
 To light His steps appear.

They trim their lamps; in vain
 The foolish virgins toil -
Our lamps are out, O deign
 To give us of your oil!

Not so - the wise ones cry -
 No oil have we to spare;
But swiftly run and buy,
 That you the joy may share.

They went to buy, when lo!
 The Bridegroom comes in state;
Within those ready go,
 And shut the golden gate.

The foolish virgins now
 Before the gateway crowd;
With terror on their brow
 They knock and cry aloud:-

"Lord open to our call -
 Hast Thou our names forgot?"
Sadly the accents fall -
 "Depart, I know you not."

Learn here, my child, how vain
 This world, with all its lies,
Those who the kingdom gain
 Alone are truly wise.

How vain the Christian name,
 If still you live in sin:-
A lamp, and wick, and flame,
 No drop of oil within.

Is your lamp filled, my child,
 With oil from Christ above?
Has He your heart, so wild,
 Made soft and full of love?

Then you are ready now
 With Christ to enter in;
To see His holy brow,
 And bid farewell to sin.

Sinners! Behold the gate
 Of Jesus open still;
Come, ere it be too late,
 And enter if you will.

The Saviour's gentle hand
 Knocks at your door to-day
But vain his loud demand -
 You spurn His love away.

So, at the Saviour's door
 You'll knock, with trembling heart
The day of mercy o'er,
 Jesus will say - depart.

As my roommate and I were “tropical plant” shopping we came across some T.U.L.I.P Bulbs, which I had to buy. I must say Tulips aren’t the most beautiful flowers, in my opinion, but they do have the best name. I’ve decided to plant five of them in a pot and name them. Four of the names are going to be Calvin, Edwards, Owen, and Spurgeon. I’m taking suggestions on the fifth, so please give me a name and reason why they are worthy of pot hood.

Criteria:
1. Must be dead
That’s it and that’s all!