As I type this I am riding in the back of our rented 09 Ford Escape Hybrid as we drive past Pensacola, FL on our cross country road trip. Updates are limited to my mobile device and therefore will be short and infrequent. However you can track our progress on twitter (sidebar) or facebook if you’re fortunate enough to be a facebook friend. 
Posted by: debese | June 29, 2009
On the road again…
Posted in Uncategorized | Tags: road trip
Posted by: debese | June 22, 2009
The Ultimate Youth Pastor?
Here is a youtube video parody of what a youth pastor shouldn’t be. Obviously the spoof took things to the extreme, but I feel that a focus on culture without a foundation of Scripture very easily leads one down the path of “Ignatious.”
Posted in Culture, Humor | Tags: Cultural Relevance, Emergant, Ignatious, Parody, Youth Pastor
Posted by: debese | June 19, 2009
The “C-Factor”…
So, I took a test online today that tests your “Calvinism.” Here are my results….though I’m not sure if I should have waited until after ordination to post this.
Test your C-Factor
86%
You are a genuine Calvinist. You have been tried and tested in Calvinism. Your attitude in live is straight and strict. You are a hard working person, who pays attention to others. However, you never show off these qualities. After all, in the eyes of God, everyone is a sinner. You know how to control your emotions, and no one can say you have an easy and luxurious way of life.
| ID | Category | Score | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Work | 100% | You sure have a Calvinistic working ethos. You never work hard enough; work for you is your bounden duty. You are the type of employee any company desires, but the balance between your work and private life may get disturbed. | |
| Strictness | 80% | You are rather strict and straight, as are more Calvinists. The advantage is that people can count on you, but your disadvantage is you find it difficult to have fun. Relax a little. Things without purpose make life more enjoyable. | |
| Sobriety | 67% | You sure seem to be a Calvinist. You live life moderately, restrainedly and systematically. But don’t forget that Calvin himself knew well how to enjoy life! | |
| Relationships | 100% | You are a reliable partner, though you could be more enchanted. Don’t be afraid of emotions! | |
| Beliefs | 100% | You are not necessarily sombre, although Calvin’s religious convictions are in your genes. |
Posted by: debese | June 18, 2009
Book Review…
Or perhaps I should say “Booklet Review.” Whilst enjoying a week at The Wilds Christian Camp I noticed that my wife had brought along the book “What is a True Calvinist?” by Philip Graham Ryken. Having finished up my ordination doctrinal statement I thought I’d see what that book was about. The book, or booklet, is part of a series entitled “Basics of the Reformed Faith” and is a mere 30 pages long. As Ryken set the theme of the book in the first paragraphs I was relieved that this was not strictly an exercise in intellectual gymnastics, but rather an effort to show that true Calvinism is merciful, gracious, loving and above all God-Centered (which in turn promotes mercy, grace and love).
Ryken begins with a quote by Sinclair B. Ferguson: “The goal of theology is the worship of God. The posture of theology is on one’s knees. The mode of theology is repentance.” Ryken goes on to observe that “There is a combative streak in Calvinism, and whenever the doctrines of grace are divorced from warm Christian piety, people tend to get ornery.” This mirrors not only my observations of some “Calvinists” but also mirrors an occasional combative flair that rises up within me when I hear things that differ from what I feel is doctrinally correct. [A good link to some resources on Calvinism in the meta] Ryken continues by spending a paragraph describing the feelings many have toward Calvinism including the feeling that “the doctrines of Calvinism will deaden and kill anything: prayer, faith, zeal, holiness.” But he continues “This ought not to be. In fact it cannot be, provided that Calvinism is rightly understood.” With that introduction Ryken makes six points (not going hyper here) as he considers what the doctrines of grace mean for personal growth in godliness, seeking to answer the question, What should a true Calvinist be like? As he does this he uses Isaiah’s interaction with God in Isaiah 6 to illustrate his points throughout the book (These illustrations I’ll leave for you to read about).
His first observation is that the Calvinist has a God-Centered mind. Here he quotes B.B. Warfield:
The Calvinist is the man who has seen God, and who, having seen God in His glory, is filled on the one hand with a sense of his own unworthiness to stand in God’s sight as a creature, and much more as a sinner, and on the other hand, with adoring wonder that nevertheless this God is a God who receives sinners.
The second observation is that the true Calvinist must have a penitent spirit. Ryken feels that this point needs to be emphasized because “although people who identify themselves as Calvinists are usually strong-minded, they are not always large-hearted.” But a penitent spirit is the natural reaction to someone who is God-centered. To see God for who He is makes us realize the sinners that we are. The fact that we are, dust, unworthy, undone, unclean and ruined to name a few Biblical terms, is hammered home to the person who sees God for who He is.
The third observation, that a true Calvinist has a grateful heart, naturally flows from the soul who sees God, has a penitent spirit and is a recipient of God’s grace. God does not leave us in our sins, but through the shed blood of Jesus Christ (Heb 9:22) makes atonement for our sin. Here Ryken quotes the Dutch Calvinist Abraham Kuyper saying that the true Calvinist is someone:
who in his own soul, personally, has been struck by the Majesty of the Almighty, and yielding to the overpowering might of his eternal Love, has dared to proclaim this majestic love over against Satan and the world, and the worldliness of his own heart, in the personal conviction of being chosen by God Himself, and therefore of having to thank Him and Him alone, for every grace everlasting.
The true Calvinist will echo the gratefulness of the English Reformer John Bradford as he spied a drunk lying in the gutter and said “There but for the grace of God lies John Bradford.”
The fourth observation of the true Calvinist is that he has a submissive will. We know that we cannot save ourselves and that salvation is all of God. However we also submit ourselves to the will of God to preach the gospel, making disciples of all nations. Isaiah said to God “Here am I, send me” even though he knew he was being sent to a people who would not listen. This submissive will to God recognizes that we must depend on God for “results” and that our efforts are vain in and of themselves and therefore we must make a commitment to a life of prayer! Ryken notes that some think that belief in God’s sovereinty inhibits prayer because if God has already decided what he is going to do, nothing we can do will change what he has planned from all eternity. But the purpose of prayer, seen in the Lord’s Prayer, is that God’s will be done! (Matt 6:10) Therefore prayer is an exercise in submitting our will to God’s will. One irony that Ryken points out is the irony of those who do not believe that God is sovereign in salvation praying for the salvation of the lost! He makes the point vividly:
Imagine for a moment that God is not sovereign in grace, but that salvation ultimately depends on the sinner’s own choice. How then should we pray? Do we say: “Dear Lord, I realize that there may not be much that you can do about this, but if there is, please help my friend somehow to become a Christian”? Of course no one actually prays this way; the very idea is absurd.
I think one of the best observations of the book is that everyone is a Calvinist when they pray.
The fifth observation is that a true Calvinist will seek to live a holy life. “Absolute dependence on God, with a complete resignation to his will, does not diminish the need for active spiritual growth. On the contrary, the true Calvinist practices the pursuit of holiness.”
And finally the true Calvinist recognizes that “Holiness is not an end in itself, but serves the greater glory of God.” The true Calvinist knows that the final goal of our election, and sanctification is the glory of God.
This is an easy book to read, and whether you’re not sure about this Calvinist thing, or whether your a Calvinist struggling with how to graciously live out the doctrines of grace, I highly recommend this book(let).
Posted in Book Reviews, God's Sovereignty | Tags: book review, Calvinism, doctrine, Doctrines of Grace, Philip Ryken, Reformed
Posted by: debese | June 16, 2009
Getting Wild”s”!!!
This week I am enjoying the beautiful scenary of North Carolina as my wife and I act as sponsors for some of our teens at the Wilds Christian camp. These weeks are always very refreshing both physically and spiritually. On my “to do list” includes finishing up my doctrinal statement for ordination, studying Luke 15 for Sunday School, reading, relaxing, and getting to know other Christians from around the country. Perhaps I shall be able to post something of interest later on this week.
Posted in Life Events | Tags: Life Events, Wilds
Posted by: debese | June 8, 2009
Open hand vs. closed fist…
I recently stumbled upon a post by Brian McLaren where in addition to praising our President for his naivet….er….open handed policy toward the Muslim world, mulled over how we should be less “closed fisted” (focusing on the doctrine and demands of Scripture) and more open handed…like Jesus. More thoughts of this will be forthcoming but for now some thoughts.
Jesus was open handed, coming to the common people and ignoring the self-righteous culturally “relevant” people of the day (scribes, pharisees and Sadducees), though he was also open handed to them as well (i.e. Nicodemus).
But was Jesus being “open handed” or “closed-fisted”:
When he said “I am THE Way, THE Truth and THE Life.”? (pretty exclusive)
When he told the woman in caught in adultery to go and “sin NO more”? (Open handed – he forgave her; close-fisted he did not gloss over the sin)
When the rich young ruler walked away unforgiven?
When he saved only one thief on the cross?
When he refused to negotiate with the culturally relevant scribes and pharisees?
When he preached a sermon that reduced his following from thousands to a handful?
There is danger to overemphasizing one characteristic of God and ignoring the others.
*Note: Edited to include the Sadducees who were culturally motivated to be “relevant” while the Scribes and Pharisees created their own type of relevance by placing themselves as the religious leaders of the day. While the groups were at odds with each other they both found common ground when seeking to destroy Christ. Thanks to Andrew for pointing out my ommission of the Sadducees!
Posted in Culture, Philosophical Thoughts | Tags: Brian McLaren, Christianity, Thoughts
Posted by: debese | June 5, 2009
Of trips and toys…
June is here! And for those familiar with the ministry God has privileged me to be a part of, you know that this month is historically very busy. This year is no exception.
Next week Em and I will be taking a group of Sr. High students up to the thriving metropolis of Union Grove, Wisconsin to minister alongside some very special people at Shepherds ministries. Shepherds is a facility designed to minister to mentally challenged individuals. These overlooked, sometimes scorned and mocked people are given an atmosphere of respect, love, and purpose to live in at Shepherds. We take this trip about once every 3-4 years in order to 1. Be a ministry to the shepherds home residence. 2. Raise awareness in our church and with our teens about the reality that the mentally challenged are made in the image of God and should be treated as such. 3. Be ministered to by a unique group of Christians who’s faith shames those of us who are mentally “sound”.
We return from Wisconsin, teach Sunday School (a series on the Prodigal Son), turn around and drive another group of teens up to The Wilds, a Christian camp in North Carolina. This week is always fun as it provides us with 24 hours of interaction with our teens (12 hours driving up and back) and is somewhat relaxing as Em and I rest in the mountains of North Carolina for the week while the teens experience some intense fun and discipleship.
We return from North Carolina, teach Sunday School, and then help out in Vacation Bible School for the week. The next Sunday, after teaching Sunday School, Em and I pack our bags and head out for a two week, cross-country-and-back road trip vacation!
And of course during all this time I’m doing some heavy duty prep for my ordination on July 30th. Now some might think that I’m a glutton for punishment, but in actuality I believe that I’m truly blessed to be able to participate in all of these events that fill up our calendar. While I’m sure I’ll breathe a sigh of relief when all these events are finished, I know I’ll also be able to praise God as I look back and see what he accomplished through each of these events.
Of course, one thing that will make these events easier is….my new toy!!! (er…business accessory) Today I became the proud user of a Blackberry Curve…which now means I can….update my facebook from anywhere!!!! Oh what did the Apostles do without these?
Your prayers are always appreciated, and hopefully I’ll be able to update you on what God is doing throughout the month.
Posted in Life Events | Tags: Shepherds Ministries, The Wilds, update
Posted by: debese | May 29, 2009
Jeremiah’s Joy and Self Pity…
Not many people would jump at the chance to have the type of ministry to which God called Jeremiah. Jeremiah’s message to the people was that of anguish and sorrow over the forthcoming and certain judgment of God on their sin. God’s message that Jeremiah delivered was not popular making people hate him and want to kill him (Jer. 11:18-23) instead of discovering their inward potential and grow in their faith journey. Jeremiah knew going in that he would be ignored but he remained faithful to his calling, but this didn’t mean that he didn’t have questions, doubts and even bouts with self-pity as he fought to remain faithful to the God in whom he took refuge. In chapter 15 Jeremiah is feeling the pressure of his assignment going so far as to express sorrow that his mother gave birth to him (v10). Then in verses 15 and following we watch as Jeremiah brings his complaint to God revealing Jeremiah’s source of joy but also the deep emotional turmoil he is experiencing.
O LORD, you know; remember me and visit me, and take vengeance for me on my persecutors. In your forbearance take me not away; know that for your sake I bear reproach.
It’s important to note to whom Jeremiah addresses at this time of distress. Possibly Jeremiah feels like God is the only one who will listen to him, but the fact that Jeremiah recognizes that God is the only one who can vindicate him is quite clear. Jeremiah “reminds” God that he is bearing the reproach of man for the sake of God. We might stop now and wonder “why?” Why would Jeremiah endure these hardships? Why would he willingly subject himself to public scorn and ridicule, to persecution and death threats? Jeremiah answers that in the next verse.
Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart, for I am called by your name, O LORD, God of hosts.
The impact of this verse becomes even more meaningful when it’s put into the context of the emotional prayer Jeremiah is praying and the heaviness of Jeremiah’s ministry. Why did Jeremiah answer God’s call to perpetual earthly sorrow? Because Jeremiah found lasting heavenly joy in the words of God, in his relationship with God, in God himself! The fact is that whether God calls you to preach to a church of thousands or less than a hundred, He is to be our delight and joy! Whether God uses you to influence many lives, or spend your life trying to influence one but having no visible effect, our joy and delight must be in God! But be warned, if our joy and delight is truly in God, it will have visible effects that will cause the world to notice. Jeremiah points this out as he continues his prayer.
I did not sit in the company of revelers, nor did I rejoice; I sat alone, because your hand was upon me, for you had filled me with indignation.
Jeremiah did not take part in the earthly celebrations of sin. It’s very clear that he separated himself from such temporal reveling. In fact itappears that the sin of his country caused him righteous indignation. Instead of seeing how close to the sinful practices of the culture he could get, he was being different, separate, set apart. We live in an age (that’s not really different from any other age) where God’s people are pushing their liberty rather than seeking their holiness (to be set apart). How many body piercings are too many? Is it ok to drink? Is swearing really bad? Why is dressing respectfully for worship necessary? What a joy it is when a person decides that instead of obsessing about how much they can be like the world, they want to be obviously different for God? Praise God for liberty, but our joy is not found in our Christian liberty, our joy is found in God who desires us to be set-apart for his glory!
But now Jeremiah allows his self-pity to get the better of him. As he feels the pain that is associated with being set-apart from the world for God he begins to wonder if it is worth it, or if God will leave him high and dry.
Why is my pain unceasing, my wound incurable, refusing to be healed? Will you be to me like a deceitful brook, like waters that fail?
The truth is that while on earth we must fight for joy. Satan is constantly bombarding us with cheap substitutes and endless doubts. But we must fight! We must not stoop to self-pity as Jeremiah did for even that would seek to rob us of our joy. God gives Jeremiah a stiff rebuke:
Therefore thus says the LORD: “If you return, I will restore you, and you shall stand before me. If you utter what is precious, and not what is worthless, you shall be as my mouth. They shall turn to you, but you shall not turn to them.
Two things to note. First that self-pity is a sin and must be repented of. Jeremiah’s self-pity damaged his relationship with God and repentance was the way of restoring that relationship. A good New Testament verse that would go along with this would be 1 John 1:9. Secondly, self-pity is ultimately worthless, and therefore unbecoming for a child of God and even more so for a minister of God. As children of God seeking to glorify Him in everything we say or do, let our words be full of worth. The last statement of that verse should be a rebuke to the so-called “seeker sensitive” movement or the crowd that is overly preoccupied with “cultural relevance.” The world should be turning to us to find out how to find joy in God, we should not be turning to the world to find out how to keep God from robbing their temporary joy…a.k.a making God less offensive to them.
Finally God reminds Jeremiah that his trust is not misplaced. That God is truly his only source of salvation:
“…for I am with you to save you and deliver you, declares the LORD.
I will deliver you out of the hand of the wicked, and redeem you from the grasp of the ruthless.”
Repentance is turning away from the wrong and turning to the right. It’s not an exercise to make us feel worse than we already do, but rather it’s necessary for us to find the joy that we have lost! God’s call for Jeremiah to repent of his self-pity is a call for him to turn his focus away from his ultimately helpless self and back toward the source of his strength and joy…The Lord God of hosts, by whose name he is called.
Who are we focusing on? Ourselves? Our family? Our leaders? North Korea? None of these will bring us the strength and joy we need to live in this sin-cursed earth filled with pain especially for those who are different. “Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full on His wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace.”
Posted in Passion for God, Scripture Meditations | Tags: Bible, Church, Delight, Jeremiah, Joy, Ministry, Scripture, Self Pity
Posted by: debese | May 27, 2009
Joy in Jeremiah?
Jeremiah is best known by the title “the weeping prophet”, so it comes as no surprise that the references to joy and delight are few. You actually have to read through almost 9 chapters of sorrow, anguish and judgment before you see a glimmer of joy or delight. The reason for this is made quite clear: Judah has abandoned God and has turned to the more culturally relevant religions of the day, very thinly disguised as worshiping the true God. This course of action seems very foolish at best. Judah had witnessed the destruction that befell northern Israel for her idolatry, Judah had seen God work in mighty ways through kings like Hezekiah, yet they still turned away from God. God summarized Judah’s sin in Jeremiah 2:13 “they have committed two sins: they have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water.” The picture is vivid. This people has turned away from the one true source of fulfillment to a source that will never quench their thirst. As such God states that “my people are fools; they do not know me. They are senseless children; they have no understanding. They are skilled in doing evil; they know not how to do good. (4:22)” The condition of the land was so bad that the people, instead of recognizing and getting rid of selfish and wicked leaders, supported them! “A horrible and shocking thing has happened in the land: the prophets prophesy lies, the priests rule by their own authority, and my people love it this way. But what will you do in the end? (5:30-31)” (personal note: when reading the previous verses I couldn’t help but think of the “culturally relevant” church’s support for an immoral administration who speaks one thing with their mouth yet does the opposite. I also am reminded of a seemingly growing movement to divorce the church from historical theology when I read “the priest rule by their own authority“)
This was the condition of Judah. Several times already up to chapter 9 God has said “should I not avenge myself on such a nation as this?” The outlook is grim. The wise are boasting in their wisdom, the mighty in their strength and the rich in their wealth, and few are seeking their satisfaction in God. Even the reforms of Josiah would not stay God’s hand of judgment on this nation. And so we come to Jeremiah 9:23-24:
Thus says the LORD: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the LORD.”
The point is clear: wisdom, strength and riches do not last: but the person who understand and knows God, the person who seeks after God with all his strength, he will find something that lasts! This person discovers what the Lord delights in, love, justice and righteousness, and seeks to immerse himself in them.
Let me draw some further application. (Important note: I understand that Israel and the Church are separate entities. However we also know that events in the Old Testament happened not only because of and for the benefit of the people in the Old Testament, but also for the benefit of the New Testament believer (1 Cor. 10:11).) So with that in mind what can this teach us?
First of all, I see some striking similarities (noting the differences) between Judah and the American church. 1. They serve the same God, 2. They have a rich history, 3. They both abandoned that history to varying degrees (The New perspectives on apostles, ignoring or distorting theologians), 4. They both should have known better (God hasn’t hidden his Word). I observe in our church today many “wise” people who are confident that their wisdom trumps the ancient wisdom of God. So we’re immersed with “relevance”, “community”, and all sorts of social justice agenda’s because that’s the wisdom of the day! The “wise” are abandoning Biblical creation because the worlds wisdom considers it foolish. The bookshelves of the Christian sections in bookstores are filling up with all sorts of “wise” strategies from the esteemed members of the new church, while books that exalt the glory of God diminishing. There are mighty members of the church who boast in the strength of their followers, and lets not forget the lifestyle that comes from selling all those books and flashing a permanent winning smile. Many times I can watch this from afar…or at least from a blog. But every now and then I find myself talking to a fellow youth pastor and the conversation revolves around the “wisdom” of church growth strategies rather than around a shared delight in God that would then motivate our passion for the church.
So, how do we avoid turning to the empty cisterns of church faddishness? Delight in God! God states that we can glory in the fact that we understand and know God. We cannot truly understand and know God unless we as Christians immerse ourselves in God and the only true way to do that is to immerse ourselves in His Word with prayer and meditation.
Posted in Passion for God, Scripture Meditations | Tags: Church, Cultural Relevance, Jeremiah, Joy, Judah, Wisdom
Posted by: debese | May 25, 2009
Memorial Day…
“Celebrating Memorial Day in a foreign country can be complicated. When the country in question is overwhelmingly pacifist in its sentiment it can become even more dicey.”
Continue Reading: Memorial Day from a missionaries perspective.
Posted in Clicki Vidi Linki, Posts of Interest | Tags: Memorial Day, Posts of Interest
