The Foray

"The Mysterious Hand of an All-Wise God ..."

"The mysterious hand of an all-wise God has removed him from the scene of his usefulness and fame." -- Robert E. Lee, announcing the death of Major General J.E.B. Stuart, May 20, 1864

Lee's reference to God is worth remembering. Probably every reader of the Foray has lived long enough to discover that events happen in this world that leave us grieved and perplexed. Folly steps forward glibly spouting explanations, justifications, and pat answers. Wisdom, however, is much more humble and quiet -- knowing there are mysteries, that some events simply defy the ability of human beings to explain. In such instances, the best thing we can do is close our mouths, accept our fragile and limited humanity, and give ourselves to mourning with those who mourn. Job in his suffering would surely have appreciated such an approach from his friends.

What does Proverbs 3:5 say? "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not depend on your own understanding."

Please, God, when things happen that we can't understand, give us grace to humble ourselves and embrace your mysterious hand, remembering that you are too good to do wrong and too wise to make a mistake.

Greg

Once upon a time, SOMEBODY said ...

1. "It's mine?! O, Daddy, you're the greatest! Thank you, thank you, thank you!"
2. "Honey, I promise: I'll never want another car!" 
3. "Looks like the Joneses got a new car. Some people have all the luck!"
4. "I went to sleep thinking about that new car and woke up thinking about it ... honey, it's a sign!"
5. "We'd be crazy NOT to buy a new car!"

Ponder this picture. See a pile of crushed dreams?

Isn't it amazing how truly "temporary" and "worthless" our things are in this world? We feel like we just got to have them! And indeed we treasure them so highly -- for a little while; then the day comes when we rejoice as much at getting rid of them as we did at first getting them.

Solomon thought it over and concluded this:

"Anything I wanted, I would take. I denied myself no pleasure. I even found great pleasure in hard work, a reward for all my labors. But as I looked at everything I had worked so hard to accomplish, it was all so meaningless -- like chasing the wind. There was nothing really worthwhile anywhere" (Eccl. 2:10-11).

In Luke's Gospel, Jesus tells a story about a rich man who built his life around accumulating stuff. In fact, you could say that "stuff was his god." But suddenly -- without warning -- the rich man died, left behind all of his stuff, and went away to meet his Maker.

He was, to quote God, "a fool" (Luke 12:20).

Dear friends, in this day of "cash-for-clunkers," let us live wisely!

Greg

One Reason We Don't Grow in Our Faith

Just came across this comment from a seminary president, David Dunbar, that really made me think:

"The reality is that many people who need to grow cannot grow because they are overly focused on themselves (Narcissism)."

This is such a tough problem, isn't it? The way I read the New Testament, I find that Jesus' disciples continually wrestled with that hairy, smelly, rough-skinned thug called narcissism, and often found themselves pinned to the mat by him.

Still, Jesus loved his puerile learners and, ever so patiently, helped them get free (by his word and Spirit). This explains how the same disciple who once asked Jesus for a green light to call down fire from heaven and incinerate an entire village eventually came to think quite differently:

"Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God. But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love." 1 John 4:7-8

Lord Jesus Christ, help us too -- as you did the Apostle John!

Greg

Why We Pray So Little

I came across a remark this week by Peter Jensen that reminded me again of how central prayer is to our lives IF would be faithful to Christ:

"The parable of the sower (Mark 4:1-20) reminds us [that] human beings have plenty of reasons for NOT LISTENING to God's word. We need to pray all the more now that the Spirit of God will awaken the hearts of readers and hearers of the gospel. This is not something which we can do. Our dependence here is entirely on the Lord."

I can't help but wonder if the reason we pray so little is because we're not yet sold on those last two sentences.

Greg

"You keep using that word ... I do not think it means what you think it means."

One of my favorite movies is Rob Reiner's, The Princess Bride (1987). It's an odd, funny, and suprisingly touching film. If you've never seen it, you've just GOT to check it out! To get the full effect of the movie, may I recommend that you pop some (Pop Secret "Homestyle" Popcorn)? This is my favorite microwave popcorn!

  Anyhow, in the movie, a villain named Vizzini (pictured left) repeatedly exclaims, "Inconceivable!" when things don't turn out as he expects (as in, "He didn't fall?! INCONCEIVABLE!"). Finally, one of his sidekicks named Inigo Montoya (pictured below) replies, "You keep using that word ... I do not think it means what you think it means."

                                                               
(Again, speaking of "full effect," you just have to HEAR Inigo Montoya say this to Vizzini!) Inigo's comment made me think about my own use of the word "missional," and got me to wondering if some in the church might be thinking, "You keep using that word ... I do not think it means what you think it means."

When I say "missional," am I misspeaking? Do I really intend to say "mission?" Or "missions"? Or "mission-minded"? What exactly does the word "missional" mean?

According to Ed Stetzer, missional means "actually doing mission right where you are" (as opposed to "mission-minded," i.e., an attitude of caring about missions). It means "adopting the posture of a missionary, learning and adapting to the culture around you while remaining biblically sound. Think of it this way: missional means being a missionary without ever leaving your zip code."

You see, for the longest time, church members in America have regarded "missions" as something other Christians do in another zip code, usually overseas somewhere -- say in Africa or Asia. But being "missional" means being missionaries OURSELVES, right where we live and work and play. 

Imagine a bunch of "missionaries" gathering this Sunday at MVB to worship and celebrate God, to hear his word to them for the week, and to encourage and bless their fellow missionaries' lives and efforts -- then to scatter into the world for the sake of others with the life-giving gospel of King Jesus, until reconvening the next Lord's Day to do the same again! 

Why can't it be this way in real life? I can think of no good reasons.

Greg

Never Forget What We Are Called to Do!

God authorized and commanded me to commission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I’ll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age.

The Great Commission,
The Message

Lord Jesus Christ, give us grace to remember and obey!

Greg

When Will Kleenex Go Out of Business?

Only in heaven!

So says Joni Eareckson Tada .. and SHE'S RIGHT, for the Scripture says:

"He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away." Revelation 21:4

Just think! What a day that will be!

Greg

"It's All for the Best."

Preparing for this Sunday night's study in Philippians, I happened to recall a story told by C.H. Spurgeon about the English theologian, Bernard Gilpin (1517-1583). I did some hunting, and found what I had vaguely remembered. Here it is (from Spurgeon's sermon, "Praise Comely to the Upright"):

" ... Bernard Gilpin always said, 'it was all for the best.' If it was fair, 'it was all for the best,' or if there had been any rain, 'it was all for the best.' Were it hot or were it cold, 'it was all for the best.' Bernard was arrested by the queen's order to be brought to London to be burned, but he said, 'it was all for the best.' The soldiers, knowing this expression of his, jeered him all along the journey with blasphemies, and when his horse fell and he broke his leg, they laughed; but he said, 'it was all for the best.' He was laid upon the road for a surgeon to set his bones, but he said 'it was all for the best.' And so it proved to be, for this delayed them, and when they got just within sight of London, they could hear the bells ringing, and on enquiry, they learned that Queen Mary was dead and Queen Elizabeth had succeeded -- so that Mr. Bernard Gilpin had arrived in London just three days too late to be burned, and he was quite correct in saying that 'it was all for the best.'"

Spurgeon then added:

"But I have no doubt that if he had gone to the stake he would have said, 'it was all for the best,' and certainly his emancipated spirit, as it left its charred ashes behind, would have sang, 'Yes, it is all for the best.'"

At age 43, I believe I can honestly say that I desperately want to get to this point in my Christian life -- to the enjoyment of this kind of peaceful disposition of spirit, so that I can say (and honestly believe!) that, come what may, "It's all for the best." Because, for those who belong to the Lord Jesus Christ, it truly IS 'all for the best'!!!

In the words of Saint Paul: "And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them" (Romans 8:28).

I hope you find our brother Gilpin's "motto" attractive too. That's why I've shared it here. I believe that the truth of it is definitely something to aim for.

Peace!

Greg

Please Remember ...

God answers prayer at the best time and in the best way.

Greg

Humiliation

Have you ever suffered humiliation? Probably. I know from personal experience that it's definitely no fun.

Once, when I was in seminary, I was asked by a professor to lead one of his classes. (I can't recall the reason he happened to be away that day.) It was a discussion-type setting and our subject was leadership in the church. As I was talking with the class, I happened to use the expression "you guys" several times. Suddenly, a black female student interrupted me and with an angry glare said sternly, "Excuse me! Dr. Smith doesn't allow us to use that kind of language here." Evidently she took offense at my lack of gender inclusiveness. But the way I was using the word (at least, to my mind) was completely inclusive. I didn't intend any disrespect whatsoever. It was simply the way I had always talked and heard others talk. But suddenly I was informed that such speech was offensive and wrong.

Right there in front of the whole class, I felt hugely humiliated.

[As you might imagine, I've been sensitive to the use of "you guys" in mixed-gender settings ever since. However, over the years I've noticed time and again on television (for example) that men and women together are frequently referred to in this manner. I've even heard female news anchors ask female guests, "So what do you guys think about what the senator is saying?" Hmm. You know, I've decided that it'd be extremely helpful if some folks among us would simply follow the words of that great American army philosopher, Sgt. Hulka, and "Lighten up!"]

According to Webster's, to humiliate is "to hurt the pride or dignity of by causing to be or seem foolish or contemptible." Recalling a time that you may have suffered humiliation, consider this from church historian, Bruce Shelley:

"Christianity is the only major religion to have as its central event the humiliation of its God. 'Dear dying Lamb,' believers sing, 'thy precious Blood shall never lose its power, Till all the ransomed Church of God be saved to sin no more.' Crucifixion was a barbarous death, reserved for agitators, pirates, and slaves. Jewish law cursed 'everyone who hangs on a tree' and the Roman statesman, Cicero, warned: 'Let the very name of the cross be far, not only from the body of a Roman citizen, but even from his thoughts, his eyes, his ears.'"

And yet, for us and for our salvation, our Savior suffered this unspeakable humiliation!

How thankful we should be as his people ... and how ready to suffer humiliation ourselves for his sake ... and how ready to let whatever humiliation befalls us in this life simply roll off our backs!

Greg