On The Book Shelf

Here are some of the books that I am knee deep in right now...

Letters Along the Way by D.A. Carson and John D. Woodbridge

Reading this is my mentorship with Carson right now. The premise of the book is a fictional tale of a character named Timothy Journeyman, a young christian, who begins to correspond with a professor from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, Dr. Paul Woodson (Carson and Woodbriges' names combined). It is a series of letters starting from Tim's initial conversion and carrying on through all kinds of struggles of life and even into feeling called to ministry. Tim is always very open about what he is going through and Dr. Woodson gives amazing advise over and over throughout this book. I am about three quarters of the way through and I am loving every page of it.

When I Don't Desire God: How to Fight for Joy by John Piper. Piper is one of my favorite authors. This is one of his best works. Piper contends that we should be pursuing our joy in God and has crystallized his life motto in this book. The motto is worth repeating, "God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him." We are currently in our fighting for joy series at youth group and I am leaning on this book to remind me of the importance of fighting for joy in our walk with Jesus.

The Cross and Christian Ministry: Leadership Lessons from 1 Corinthians by D.A. Carson

I just finished this one and I was so convicted by it. Because of this book I am actually going to go back and change a few posts that I have made about leadership. I was convicted and Carson faithfully explained from the Scriptures the role of the Christian leader. It was brilliant and I was once again humbled at the foot of the cross.

Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God by Francis Chan

I read this in hurry the days after it came out. I couldn't put it down. Chan is an amazing man of God and His church and writing bear the marks of following someone so close to Jesus. Ashley (my girlfriend) and myself are going back through this one slowly with the help of the companion DVD so we can get the very most out of it.

Another book that I want to start soon is a biography of Charles Spurgeon. I am waiting for it to come in the mail! I fell in love with Spurgeon a couple years ago when I read Lectures to My Students. I am ready to dive into his life to see what sort of wisdom and encouragement I can pry from him and apply to my life.

Humble Servant

I am just a humble servant. I want to share these verses with you...

"Suppose one of you had a servant plowing or looking after the sheep. Would he say to the servant when he comes in from the field, 'Come along now and sit down to eat'? Would he thank the servant because he did what he was told to do? So you also, when you have done everything you were told to so, should say, 'We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.'" (Luke 17:7-10)

Jesus spoke those words to His disciples when they asked Him to increase their faith. It seems like a great prayer. But, the heart behind it is the issue. Why do you want more faith? Is it to elevate yourself? 

I just recently posted an article on bringing the message of Jesus. Sometimes my pride creeps back in and wants to set up shop. Sometimes I want to point out how great preaching is because I do it a couple times a week. So even though I might not call attention to myself I can still say, 'hey look how important what I am doing is!?' God has humbled me this week by teaching me that I am just a servant. An unworthy servant.

Living Out Loud

Does your life have an impact on others? Can people look at the way that you patiently handle conversations, the way you overflow with love, your joy in difficult circumstances, your trust in the cross, your humble service, your time management, your private devotions, and your public worship and see that you are a Christ follower? 

Is your life a pretty impressive sermon? Or do you simply get by and make it to Sunday to get a spiritual shot in the arm? 

I pray that you would be 'the real deal' and that your life would draw others to Jesus.

Gospel Basics

We just finished our series on Gospel Basics and I want to quote Spurgeon:

Whitfield and Wesley might preach the gospel better than I do, but
they could not preach a better gospel.

Acts 10- Anticipation of The Message

"Falling at at his feet in reverence... now we are here in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has commanded you to tell us" (10:25, 33)

The story is found in Chapter 10 of Acts. Peter is arriving at Cornelius's home after receiving a vision from God that indicates that God's love is for all mankind. There are no social boundaries. And, after being sent for Peter set out for Caesarea. Upon arriving "Cornelius met him and fell at his feet in reverence. But Peter made him get up. "Stand up," he said, "I am only a man myself"" (vs. 25,26). When Peter went inside he saw a large gathering of Gentiles and asked why he was sent for. Then Cornelius explained how his prayers were met by a visitation from an Angel that told him to send for Peter. (vs 30-32). Then in verse 33 it says, "So I sent for you immediately, and it was good of you to come. Now we are all here in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has commanded you to tell us."

What an amazing story! I want to look at it from two separate angles. First, let us look at the anticipation of Cornelius and those that were gathered... Do you have this sort of anticipation? Do you hold those that teach and encourage you in high regard? When Cornelius met Peter face to face he fell at his feet in reverence. Why would he do such a thing? Why was he inclined to decline? Why would he literally fall at someones feet? Cornelius was a centurion, a man in high standing that knew what it meant to be honored and obeyed. So, why would he do the complete opposite in the presence of a mere fisherman from Galilee? The answer is that Cornelius and those gathered with him were anticipating the Words of God to be brought to them through this vessel... through Peter. So, in anticipation of what God was going to speak and at the arrival of the messenger humility poured forth in the expression of reverence. "How beautiful are the feet of those that bring good news!" (Romans 10:15, cf. Isaiah 52:7). There is a respect for the messenger but not solely on the basis of his good looks or his reputation. No it is on the basis of his message. He is a receptacle delivering a treasure. (2 Cor. 4) So they were eager to hear everything that God was going to speak through him to them.

Do you have that sort of respect or admiration for the messenger and more importantly the message? Do you eagerly look forward to the times when the messenger pours the treasure of surpassing greatness out on you? Do you look forward to church? When the Word of God is opened and explained making things clear so that the people can understand (Neh. 8:8). When a passage of Scripture is the basis of teaching the good news of Jesus (Acts 8:35). Do you look forward to church with and anticipation of hearing from God?

Do you pray for the messenger? Do you lift up in prayer those that teach you and hold them in high regard? Do you put expectations on them to do things other than carefully sit in the counsel of God to recieve the message and faithfully deliver that message? Many church goers think that their pastors should be a 'jack-of-all-trades' and that they should be able to come up with a message from God in hurry but what is really important is that they jump at every 'beck-and-call' of the congregation. "Attend these events and accomplish these tasks" they say, "after all, what are we paying you for?" So, the message loses its place as supreme and is replaced with lots of other seemingly good things. Let us pray for our spiritual leaders to sit un-distracted on the mountain of the Lord. Let us pray that they would descend and speak to us with radiating faces and a message that makes us terrified of the Almighty (Exodus 19,20). A message that helps us to be the community of God (1 Peter 2:9).

Sometimes it is Good that Progress is Slow

Sometimes progress in the faith can seem slow. Sometimes I will think about my current condition and just beg God that He would make me better. When I survey a couple years and see that not much has happened it makes me sad. I wish I was a better man and I wish I could be more godly in a hurry.

But, on the other hand I am so grateful that the process is at times slow and steady. I have changed quite a bit in the past few years. Thankfully, I have been changing from one degree of glory to another (2 Corinthians 3:18). Hopefully, other people can see my progress in the faith (1 Timothy 4:15). And all of this to the glory of Jesus. The transformation is taking place. The sanctification is happening one day at a time and God is pruning one thing at a time.

I am thankful that it comes at me gradually... It is a process and pruning isn't the most pleasant experience I have went through. The refining fire is really hot. The impurities are resilient to the heat and they don't go easy. And, to be honest, if I knew what I was signing up for I probably wouldn't have been so thrilled at first. If I knew the changes that God had in store for me and the humility it would take, I probably would have shied away. I probably would have done something else that would have accentuated my skills and stroked my ego. Being a sold out Christ follower doesn't allow for those things. That is why this morning I say, "thank you God that it is slow." Thank God that He is working on you and the pace isn't so break neck that you can't handle it. Thank God that He is a patient potter that slowly crafts on His vessel. Because when after many many periods of time, after much reshaping and sculpting, and after the heat of the oven gives permanence to His work, you will be ready... to see His Glory.

Calling My Mighty Men and Women

I just watched King Arthur again. That movie gets my blood pumping. I am drawn to the loyalty and camaraderie of the knights.

I often pray that God would make me a leader that is compelling to follow. A leader that would do battle with a group of mighty men and women. Like King David and his 'Mighty Men' (2 Samuel 23).

Because we are in a war. A spiritual war. The wages are eternal freedom for some and eternal condemnation for others. I need people to step up and commit to going to war for the gospel. People that will follow me into the battle and be willing to sacrifice for the cause.

Are you that man or woman?

I will write more on this spiritual leadership concept later.

Time

"We were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well." 1 Thess 2:8

I think that it is important to share with you how I spend my time. I have attempted to do this before but now I have a better grasp of how I spend my weeks. So, "imitate me as I seek to imitate Christ."

Monday: This is a day that I spend as a normal day in the office. I respond to emails, write articles, do sermon prep for Tuesday nights, do a little planning for Wednesday and this takes up my office day. Then on Monday nights I have been doing homework. I am taking some classes through Moody Bible Institute and Monday nights seem to be a great time to do some homework. I generally head to my parents to use their computer because then I can get a free meal and even do laundry for free while I work;)

Tuesday: Otherwise known as "the meeting day." I work at a large church so the staff is broken into teams. I am on the family ministry team. I work with early childhood, elementary, and family pastors to coordinate life change in young people. So, during the morning portion of Tuesday we meet together and talk about ministry issues and team plans and the like. This usually swallows up the morning. Then we grab some food and head to staff meeting where our whole staff is present. Depending on the week this can last anywhere from 1 hr to 3 or even more... We talk and pray through many issues surrounding our church. 

By the time those meetings are done I am about pretty burned out. Sometimes I leave for a little bit and get some coffee or if I have a lot going on that I need to work on I stick around. But most times, for my sanity, I leave. I am a procrastinator by nature so during this time I am usually working out the finishing touches on what I want to share on Tuesday night at a bible study that I co-lead. If it is my off week, I relax or maybe read. The bible study lasts a couple hours. If I don't have homework, I try to hang out with my best friend from high school. He isn't a Christian and I love him so much. So, we play video games or something like that on Tuesday nights.

Wednesday: This is a long day. I usually try to sleep in after playing video games on Tuesdays and get to the office by 10am. My day consists of getting ready for Fuel our midweek service for grades 6, 7, and 8. So, message prep, room set up, write out questions for small groups, email leaders etc... sometimes I take off at 4:30 for an hour or so before I come back to set up the gym and check-in computers. Fuel is taxing. With 50-75 kids running around I am usually pretty spent after youth group. After everything is put away and I give a ride home to all the kids that get stranded... I make it back to my apartment by 9:30 or 10. If my friends are still up I go upstairs and hang with them for a little bit. My neighbors are leaders for small groups at Fuel so Wednesday night we share stories about students and laugh and cry... seriously, this is our venting session. 

Thursday: This is the day that I try to spend with people. Usually I will spend the morning with some of my volunteers. Grab coffee with them or breakfast. Then on an ideal Thursday I spend time with a students for lunch and then again in the afternoon... This doesn't always work because of school and extra curricular activities but the ideal is being with people all day. 

Then Thursday nights I meet with my family for a small group. My parents, brothers, wives/ girlfriends, baby niece, and some close friends all attend. We have dinner together and then study the Word. We have been doing our family Bible study for years and it has sharpened us and grown us each so much.

Friday/ Saturday: These are my days that are blocked off to be with my beautiful girlfriend Ashley. She is amazing and I am going to marry her! These days I completely unplug from ministry and just focus on the time with Ash. We might go shopping, go to the park, go on dates, watch movies, read, or anything romantic. These are my favorite days of the week. I might be in Rockford or Chicago depending on Ash's schedule (she lives and works in Chicago but is from Rockford and has family in Rockford). 

Sunday: This day is a whirlwind. I teach a bible study for students at 9:00am. Then, during the 10:30 service I worship with the students in "big church." After church I usually grab some food either at my parents or at my apartment. Then I try to get back to the church as soon as possible. I do a lot of my message prep on Sunday afternoons for Sunday night. Sunday night is our high school worship service. So, I am at the church all afternoon getting ready. Then after 6:00 (that's the name of our program) a group heads to Culver's (a local burger joint) to hang out and chat. After the students head home the leaders stick around and debrief. Then it's back to my apartment to get some "Zs"

This is a rough skeleton of my week... Not everything plays out like that. I actually spend a ton of time with Ash and that can be shown by the fact that I put 8,000 miles on my little neon in the last few months driving back and forth to Chicago to see her. I also read a lot... so most nights I am reading when there is some down time. But, I want to be transparent so you can see what I spend my time on. Before I started working at a church I always wondered what staff did there. Now you know what one of them does with his time. 

Hope you are blessed.

Progressing in the Faith

Most times the bible will answer questions I put to it... It does a pretty good job of defending itself. 

The other night I was tired of doing homework. I was trying desperately to finish my assignments for an Old Testament Survey class that only lasted eight weeks (so much material in such a short amount of time). I was also thinking about the fact that over the past year and a half I have read shelves of books. I feel like my understanding of God is deeper than it has ever been and I feel like it has been a year or so of intense learning and refining for me.

So, I asked the question of whether or not the progress ever plateaus. Maybe someday I will have grey hair and I will sit back and look at the things that I have taught to younger generations, and look at how God has used me and how He sharpened my understanding, and my hope is that it will be easier times?But then the Bible exposed that even though that sounds good, even though it would be good to have sound doctrine and a life to match it, there is never a time to coast. Paul instructs his protege Timothy to progress in the faith so that others can see (1 Timothy 4:15). In context, Paul was talking about living as an example, in faith, in life, in love, and in purity(vs. 12). It also had to do with doctrine (vs. 16). So, the answer to my question is a resounding "NO." I don't ever settle in. I don't coast. Keep progressing in the faith so that others can see and glorify God. 

I hope that over the last year people can notice the ways that I have changed. I hope that people can see the ways that I have increased in godliness and love. And, that is the plan for you also if you call yourself a Christ follower, a life that is progressing in the faith.

Is 2009 your best year yet for displaying Christ? Are you more like Him today then ever before? Let us press on to know Christ more and to display Him to the world.

Let me add a note that this is not something that you achieve on your own accord. You can try all you want to become more like Jesus and think that by your works you are saved. That is not the case. You are not earning favor with God... you already have it. You are not achieving righteousness... Jesus freely gave it to you 2000 years ago. I am talking about 'living up to what we have been called to.' I am talking about the sanctification that God is putting us through to make us more like His Son. It is a process and we do progress. It is described beautifully in 2 Cor 3:18, "And we all, with unveiled faces, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit." This is the process that we go through. First off, we see with our spiritual eyes the beauty of Christ, "with unveiled faces beholding the glory of the Lord." Secondly, we are being changed to be made like Jesus, "we are being transformed into the same image [of Jesus whom we are beholding]." Furthermore, it is a process, "from one degree of glory to another." Finally, this transformation is not credited to us, as if we could achieve it on our own, but it is credited to God Himself, "for this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit." 

We are being changed to be more like Jesus as we see and love Jesus. And this should be evidenced in our lives by noticeable progress. I will never coast. Not if I keep my eyes on Jesus and resist the schemes of Satan. I will always be progressing in godliness and understanding.

Acts 10- No Social Boundaries

"I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right." Acts 10:34-35

Peter sees a vision and the meaning is brought into focus when he meets the men that Cornelius sent. The vision and the message of the men comes together to make Peter say the line, "God... accepts men from every nation..." Is your gospel that comprehensive? Does the good news in your life extend beyond your comforts. We all have a comfort zone of those that we easily get along with. Whether it is like minded people, or similar back grounded people, or same gender, or same social situations. We each have a comfort zone that makes sense to us to spend time with, but the Gospel breaks down boundaries. It is extended to the Jew and the Gentile. It was extended to people in Israel 2000 years ago and it was extended to you in the U.S. It doesn't play favorites. God, in fact, is after all tribes and tongues and nations. He is after the rich and the poor, the popular and the socially quirky. He is after all peoples. 

How are you doing at extending that invitation? Do you tell the gospel to the people that aren't exactly like you? 

Please Gaurd My Understanding

Because I am taking an online course and working towards my degree... I have been thinking lately about the studying of the Word. I am a student of the Bible. I want to be mastered by it and I believe that it has the power to transform.

My question tonight is when does it plateau? When is the learning curve less steep? When is understanding and theology closest to accurate? I picture a spiraling line that is getting closer and closer and closer to the center. At the outset it is broad and sweeping circles that take up an immense amount of space. As you get closer to the center the circle gets tight and close. That is how I picture myself understanding theology. At the outset there is a little uncertainty but as the bible is mined day after day after day I think that God becomes more and more clear. I wonder where I am at in that mental picture? Over the last year I have really examined the faith as best I can to make sure that I know what I am telling others. I am so unqualified for the position God has placed me in other than the fact that God has placed me in it.

So, I hope my understanding of God is getting tighter and closer to the truth. I pray that I might make less and less mistakes in assessing the Almighty. God help me to accurately proclaim you to the world. Amen

Acts 10- Consistency

In Acts 10 we are introduced to a man named Cornelius who was devout and God-fearing. He gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly (vs. 2). He had a vision and an angel of the Lord spoke to him.

How is your consistency? If someone were writing a description of you would those be things that would stand out and make the cut? Do you give generously? Do you pray regularly? This is a huge aspect of Christianity... consistency with God. 

My challenge to you today is to make it consistent. Do what ever it takes to give generously. Cut back on frivolous spending so you can give. Find a mission organization to give to or simply give more to the local church. Be known for your giving. Secondly, pray regularly. I am not talking about praying before you chomp down on a burger or once you are in bed and toss up a quick prayer to God while you fall asleep. I am saying, block out a chunk of time and pray to God. Start a prayer journal with pressing things that need to be brought before the Lord. Pray before you read scripture and then search for verses that you can pray back to God. Sit still for a little bit. Don't just talk until you are out of breath then peace out. Give God a little time and just sit at His feet. 

I want to be like Cornelius. I want to be described as giving generously, praying regularly, being a devout and God-fearing man.

Take Off My Ephod? NEVER!

While vacationing has its perks, I learned that you can never vacate from your office as a priest. Imagine if in scripture you read that Aaron or his sons or anyone from the priestly line took off their ephod and decided to become an Israelite from a different clan for a week... It doesn't happen. The ordination of the priests in Leviticus 8-10 shows the process by which the priests are set apart for service to the LORD. The process is irrevocable.

The same is true of you when you begin to see yourself as a part of the royal priesthood. When Jesus calls you into His kingdom you become a priest too. "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light" (1 Peter 2:11 emphasis added). Therefore you take on the role of priest as well and you never step away from your office of priesthood. This is so important because in our society we isolate areas of life. We have our school time, our work time, our family time, our church time, etc... The problem is a priest never becomes an ordinary Israelite... He is ordained for life. So, it is with the high office of being a Christian. We need to learn that being a Christian extends well beyond our hour and a half on a Sunday.


Paul puts it to us like this in Romans, "as it is written; 'God's name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you'" (Romans 2:24). When we who know the law and teach others, when we who call ourselves Christians 'take a break' from being Christians we essentially bring shame on Christ. I hear too often of my students living double lives, claiming Christ on Sundays but then walking in darkness throughout the rest of the week. That is not God's design for His followers. Our lives should be a living sermon. Something that people look at and see Christ in us. When we isolate or segregate our time to Christianity only happening on Sundays we become like the hypocrites that Jesus stood opposed to.


Let us make an effort to bring our lives into sharp focus. We have one mission in life, to demonstrate Christ to a broken world. Christianity is not simply a label we slap on top of our lives. It is an all out change. It is an identity. It is the act of becoming a priest so that you live in such a way that 'people may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us' (1 Peter 2:12).

Jesus the Hero

During my quiet time today I was reading in Romans... and the thing that I was being hammered with today is that humanity is so sinful. That is a vague and general statement but when you apply it on a personal level it begins to make sense; I am sinful. You are sinful.

Paul puts it like this in Romans 3 where he quotes the Psalmist, "there is no one righteous, not even one; no one seeks God... there is no fear of God before their eyes." There is not a person on the planet now or ever that can get the title righteous (except One). And when we look at the Law we are brought to the realization that we are sinful, I am sinful and God would be just in punishing me severely. So, what do we do? We look to our Savior. We look to Jesus to be our remedy.

But, that is not so easy. It is humbling for people to say to themselves that they are 'wicked' (quoting Paul again) and that they deserve punishment. It is so hard to submit to that truth and I would say even harder for 'religious' people that attend church and tithe and go to small group and what not. It is harder for them to see that they are sinful because after all they are good people.

Mark Driscoll puts it like this in his book Vintage Jesus, "religious people often read the bible looking for ways to be the hero of their own life rather than reading it to see themselves as the villain and Jesus their hero." And that is the truth that hit me this morning. I am a villain and Jesus is my hero. Jesus rescues me from my self. Jesus takes my punishment by faith and gives me His right standing with God by faith and justifies me before the Father by faith. But, I am a thief that doesn't deserve any of those things!?

What a humbling and liberating truth! Jesus is my hero. I'm a crook but Jesus is my hero.