November Road

Curtain-like the grey clouds roll,
As in the dusk companions stole.
Miles behind and more ahead,
E'er pain or cold the plan to tread.

Fair flowers stood against the wind,
Round garden known for food and friend.
Observing night, they did return;
Moved to rest for sleep to earn.

Awake, alive, when dawn did break,
Five souls emerged, a mark to make.
And when the distance long had passed,
Received to cheers--home at last.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

'Hind the veil, actors rest;
Eager for the plot to crest.
As ships o'er waves forward come,
Reaching for land and eastern sun.
Toward hope they set and bear tribute,
Searching, yearning, heart resolute.

O'ercoming fear while failure rue,
Naught answer came but wonder knew.
For chasmic span the problem be,
In time and space dwell cruelty.
Rest in the Sov'reign, e'er I must;
Enraptured here, my Saviour trust.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

"Poetry (from the Latin poeta, a poet) is a form of literary art in which language is used for its aesthetic and evocative qualities in addition to, or in lieu of, its apparent meaning." ~Wikipedia

Thanks for...wait, there's no room for me!

I'm a young adult at Watermark Community Church here in Dallas, TX, and while I'm writing to the body at Watermark, I'm also addressing the greater body of Christ at each local church to which they belong. Recently, I was engaged in a conversation about growth at Watermark and the need to make physical room for more people and the "next 100", as we like to call them, who will walk through the doors and be directed toward Christ.

The discussion was discouraging, to say the least, and essentially presented two negative angles. First, since the resources to build physical room for people haven't been given, why is that? Implied: Should that be taken as a sign not to proceed? Second, even if we finish out the buildings and enable our body to nearly double in the current location, what happens when we fill up again? Doesn't it seem futile since we're just going to have this problem again in the future?

Those question present biblical and logical fallacies, which I can hopefully quickly address before hitting the real point. First, if we look at Scripture and particularly the Old Testament where God ordained a number of buildings, we see times where the structure stood incomplete due to lack of will and/or funds (2 Kings 12:4ff; Haggai 1:2ff). When this happened, the answer wasn't to give up or resign, but rather to redouble the people's action and call them to wholehearted commitment. Second, if we follow the logic of eventually maximizing our current location, we would never have started in the first place. Yes, the project is big. Yes, the structure is large. But so is the city we are striving to reach with the live-saving truth of Christ! We will spread out; we will end up in other locations; but let us not abandon potential where we have it...

Now for the real point. Perhaps this is more about my generation (X/Y) or maybe it's the 21st century church as a whole, but we have a split-brain dilemma in our attachments to the local body (a.k.a. our home churches). I'm the first to confess that up until this week, I was the chief of this inconsistency. I've poured my life (read: time) into Watermark for the past 14 months, but my financial commitment has been token--the safe, 10% tithe that soothes the conscience. Week in, week out, I'll burn the midnight oil, over-commit, and literally use every waking hour in the service of ministries I believe in at Watermark. Yet the roof under which I spend so much time, and which is often the source of problems (capacity or traffic-flow), I neglect.

How did I get away with this flawed, inconsistent commitment for so long? If I go to Acts (2:42ff; 4:32ff; 6:3ff), the Word tells me of a church wholly invested with both time and resources--they were continually devoting themselves (time) and not claiming anything as their own (resources). So what was my hang up? Well, I'm an analyst and critic by nature and I saw deficiencies at Watermark, places where I believe things should be done differently or where I think they do not aspire high enough. So what was my response? Hold back part of my heart. Give my time, sure, but save those precious dollars for that perfect ministry in the future where it'll be clear I should go "all in" for God. That's ridiculous--there are no perfect ministries. And if I see room for growth, why not strive to make it happen? But that was me.

So here I stand. On top of my own brokenness, I say, "Go all in!" If you regularly feed at a local body of believers (read: the place you go each Sunday), don't hold back your heart. Maybe you're the opposite--you write a generous check every month, but your time goes elsewhere. Reconcile your balance sheet. If a place is worth your money, it's probably worth your time (and vice versa). If it isn't, put your resources in a place worthy of the life God's given you. If you see problems at your church, welcome to the club and step in further. This club isn't for passive critics; it's for those who see (and are) imperfect people running toward a perfect God and who need each other in the race. Paul didn't "fight the good fight" and "finish the course" of his life by holding back in his commitment to the church (2 Tim. 4:7). He poured himself out as a "drink offering" and suffered much for individual churches (2 Tim. 4:6; 1 Thess. 2).

Wherever you are, in whatever church you are in, be all there. It's worth it. Pray, serve, give. Go all in.

Breakaway: Love One Another Series (Dating, Part 1)

Ben Stuart's message on "Sex & Dating: First Things First" (podcast)
Breakaway Ministries: Love One Another (3.26.2009)

Notes:

Anyone can get a date & get married (esp. if you lower your standards far enough)
- But how can we do it right?

Navigate by fixed points that don't change (illustration about the stars while camping)

Dating is not the biggest thing in the universe
- You have to get your relationship with God right first before a girl/guy

1 John 4:7ff -- You can't step out and love people until you've been loved by God

How do I rest in God's love?
1. Through the Son (1 John 4:9)
2. Through His Word (1 John 5:13)
3. Through obedience (1 John 5:2-4)

If you are beloved, you will be satisfied and not try to use/get from others (illustration about dinner interview--eat before, so you can focus properly)

"I have to feast on You (God) or I will use them..."

Scripture speaks clearly to:
1. Not dating unbelievers
2. How to treat believers (1 Timothy 4-5) -- be a brother
- Treat women as sisters -- you don't fool around with sisters!
- Spur them on toward love and good deeds
3. How to treat a spouse -- these passages do not apply to you if you aren't married!

Take-aways:

Example 1: Abraham & Isaac -- maybe you need to surrender it all and tell God that He can take everything including dating

Example 2: Voyage of the Dawn Treader -- the journey is about seeking the great King and I will not give up, even if the boat sinks; I will drown with my nose to the sun. In the story, Caspian finds a girl who he marries, but it was all about seeking the King.

A Biblical Strategy For Fighting Sexual Sin

At Resolved 2009, Rick Holland, college pastor at Grace Community in Sun Valley, CA, presented a message from Proverbs 5 on developing a Biblical strategy for fighting sexual sin. I would encourage anyone to listen or watch the message at http://www.resolved.org/media/. If you are a woman, simply replace the gender in the notes that follow as Rick also says in the message itself. Solomon (and God) is speaking to all of us.

Resolved 2009: A Biblical Strategy For Fighting Sexual Sin
Rick Holland: Proverbs 5

6 Biblical Strategies That Will Ensure Sexual Purity

1. Undertake the pursuit of Biblical instruction (about sexual purity), v. 1-2

• you would be wise to put yourself under your parents' instruction
• undertake...to have discretion and wisdom
• undertake...so you will have words to say to your soul (when temptation comes)

2. Undress the deception of sexual sin, v. 3-6

• "adulteress": anyone or anything that would encourage us toward any kind of sexual experience outside of marriage
• all Biblical references to "flirting" are in the context of a harlot--there is no safe or cute flirting outside of marriage
• the adulteress is lethal ("two-edged sword" -- design to kill)
• she/it doesn't ponder the path of life or the cause/effect it will have on your life

3. Understand the value of safe distance, v. 7-8

• Joseph principle: run! get away! keep distance away from temptation
• not "how far can we go physically?" but rather "how holy can we stay?"
• is the glory of God on your mind when you are talking to an attractive girl?
• running from sexual sin is brutally painful because you are crucifying the flesh

4. Unmask the regret of sin's aftermath, v. 9-14

• v. 9 lose dignity and respect, v.10 lose resources (i.e. to pregnancy), v. 12-13 remorse, v. 14 public disgrace
• ask, "is it worth it?"
• the consequences are inevitable and unavoidable
• play out the tape/scenario if you fell into sexual immorality--effects on spouse, kids, ministry, etc.

5. Unlock the satisfaction of marital intimacy/fidelity, v. 15-19, Song of Solomon 4:15

• cf. to and summary of another series by Rick Holland:
  "Be Godly - Find Someone Godly - Get Married - Make Disciples"
• be exhilarated with her love
• be satisfied with your spouse and your spouse alone
• the best antidote for sexual frustration is a healthy relationship with your wife
• Psalm 84:11 -- no good thing does God withhold from those who walk upright

6. Unleash the power of God's omniscience, v. 20-23

• purity is a response to the living God, not just behavior modification
• "in the moment of sin, every man is a practical atheist" -- A.W. Tozer
• Hebrews 4:13 -- nothing is hidden from God
• God sees it all, thoughts and actions

Response:

• seek pastoral care and counsel
• find accountability and help, but know that no one (except for God) will ever hold you fully accountable
• think about where you want to be at the end of life
• what you are doing now matters -- the choices your make now matter
  

Lakes of Wellington

On this delightful spring day, I ventured out for a bike ride and navigated toward the neighborhoods of east Carrollton, about a mile from my apartment. Growing up as a child, I remember my mom and I taking a route in this area, beside which appeared to be a lush greenway sure to be concealing a creek.

Crossing Marsh Lane, just south of Trinity Mills, I came to this area. The stone sign at the entrance of the subdivision read, "Briarwyck Lakes". Sounds like there should be water somewhere beyond, doesn't it? I pedaled and pedaled, turning on this watermarked street (Fall Creek) and that (Creek Bend). Still no water.

It's a nice day, though, so I keep pressing on, venturing farther south and farther west (away from home). Eventually I come to another marked subdivision, this one named, "Lakes of Wellington". Wow. British lakes. Now this I have to see... So I turn in and explore the neighborhood. No water. Again. What's going on here? No wonder the housing market went south. Even individual neighborhoods are wrought with fraud.

Alas, but for the blissful day, I might be dismayed. But I'm not, so I continue south down a street with "Willow" in it, but of course, no willows anywhere in sight. Upon crossing Keller Springs, I enter what is clearly a step down in economic status--less fanciful street names, lower class cars, and duplexes. However, within about a half mile, I spot what is distinctly a park with a modest waterway and even an arched bridge! What's more, they even have a pretty nice community pool.

So this is interesting. The areas with showy names like "Briarwyck Lakes" (read: "we're so educated, that we spelled 'wick' with a 'y'") and "Lakes of Wellington" (read: "live here and you'll feel like British nobility") are dry and waterless. But the neighborhood called "Two Worlds"--one of which is certainly Hispanic--showed signs of life and held water, absent the haughty claims.

Application for our lives? I think so.

Fear & Love in Relationships

"There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love. We love, because He first loved us. If someone says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from Him, that the one who loves God should love his brother also." ~1 John 4:18-21

In relationships, romantic primarily but also platonic, we often have an element of fear entwined, which leads us to the anxiety, butterflies, and other similar apprehension so common to insecure situations. We fear that if we misspeak or fail to act in an expected manner, the other person will reject us. Although this is more of a secondary application of the above passage from 1 John, I believe that the other person's rejection is the punishment linked to our fear. Consequently, we do not have perfect love, because we are convinced that their love is in some way conditional. And it may be.

I want this to be different in my life. To engage with others regardless of motivation (friendship, romance, ministry) in order to bless and love them, this is my desire. But I fear that without the reciprocal, I will find myself a mile or two down the road, stranded and hurt. Can I find my security and hope firmly in the Lord such that I may say, "The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord" (Job 1:21b)? In all honesty? No, I'm not there yet.

"Yet." It is a word that indicates an unfulfilled, but eventual hope. Though the journey is ongoing, the destination has not been abandoned. By the grace of God and through the sanctification of the saints (Philippians 1:6), we can arrive at perfect love, which is anchored in God's love for us (1 John 4:10-11). Then, fear will be no more. My security will not be in human hands, but in the Father, who is the essence of love. Then, I will be truly free to love without concern for someone's response.

So what does this mean for today, tomorrow, and those in our lives? First and foremost, we must seek a supreme pleasure and joy in God. Our love for Him must outpace all others, and our sense of worth should be based on what He says of us, rather than anything else. I have to preach this to myself daily, even hourly, or else I will be swayed by my emotions, feelings and the world around me. Then, encourage one another with the same message and seek to love them with perfect love--fearless love. If God's love lives in us, we will not fear uncertain situations. Rather, we will embrace them with His love and know that He holds all time and all people in His hands.

Ezekiel 33:1-9

E-mail to the awesome men and women of Team Next Steps at the Porch (Watermark Community Church), dated March 21, 2010:

Hey team,

One of the chapters in my devo reading this morning was Ezekiel 33. If you're familiar with Ezekiel, you might recall that it can be a little bit hard on the brain with all the imagery, visions, and prophecies that the Lord gives Ezekiel while he is in exile (in Babylon). The first nine verses of Ezekiel 33, though, are a like a clear pane of glass in an otherwise frosted or stained-glass window.

In short, the Lord is telling Ezekiel that he is a watchman for Israel. The watchman's role is to be on the alert, eyes open, scanning for impending danger. When the watchman sees danger coming, it is his job to warn the people so that they might be saved/delivered/protected. The Lord tells Ezekiel that he is the spiritual watchman for the people of Israel and that when the Lord gives words of warning to Ezekiel, he must tell them to the people or else the Lord will hold him (Ezekiel) responsible for the people's failure to repent.

As volunteers and leaders at the Porch, we are watchmen with so much more of the Word of God than even Ezekiel had. And it is our calling--God's will for us--to warn those around us of danger we see coming to their lives, whether that be from the trappings of the world, damaging relationships, or anything else that the Lord has spoken in His Word. We are around folks every day and week who are heading toward destruction. I pray that the Lord opens all of our eyes (mine included) to see this and to stir a desperation within us to "hold them back".

"Deliver those who are being taken away to death,
And those who are staggering to slaughter, Oh hold them back."
~Proverbs 24:11 (NASB)

'Love you guys and praying you have a wonderful day of worship!
~Chris

Death and Hope

But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus.
~1 Thessalonians 4:13-14

With my grandfather's passing today, it is tempting to fall into the shadow, to hang my head and play the part of the tragedy. But this is not the reality. The truth that takes my breath away is that I have a loving Father who has chosen to walk me and those I love through these trials this year, and somehow He has a divine plan and roles for us to play in all of this. I do not see the tapestry as a whole, but I see enough of the weaving to know that this is not random or some unfortunate chance. Rather, these coarse threads are being run by the Master Artisan who is creating a texture which will bring Him the utmost glory.

When shadows fall on us / We will not fear / We will remember / When darkness falls on us / We will not fear / We will remember / When all seems lost / When we're thrown and we're tossed / We'll remember the cost / We're resting in the shadow of the cross
~"Shadows" by David Crowder Band

This life is not all there is. If it was, then we who hope in the resurrection would be most pitiable, as Paul said. But such is not the case. This is the dream--we have yet to awake.

For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality. But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, "Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?" The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
~1 Corinthians 15:53-57

I asked a dear friend last night for advice on how I should respond to some exhaustion I was feeling (before I learned today of my grandfather's death). The first option seemed to be to seek solace, as Jesus said to His disciples in Mark 6:31, "Come away by yourselves to a secluded place and rest a while." And the second was to draw deeply on the Lord's strength to pour out further, beyond what I feel I have to give. Last night, I found respite in journaling. Today, the Lord has given me the opportunity to let His power show in my weakness. May Christ be evident in the hours and days that follow.

I remember when / I stumbled in the wind / You heard my cry / You raised me up again / My strength is almost gone / How can I carry on / If I can't find You? / As the thunder rolls / I barely hear You whisper through the rain / "I'm with you" / And as Your mercy falls / I raise my hands and praise the God who gives / And takes away
~"Praise You In This Storm" by Casting Crowns

My God, You have been so good to me. Your love washes over me. Your grace surrounds me. In Jesus, I have all righteousness in spite of my own wretchedness. In Him, I am Your son with an immeasurable and unending inheritance in Your presence. If this storm never ends, let me stand firmly on the rock of my salvation, and let Your name be glorified.

"Weakness In Witnessing" by Prof. Grant Horner

From The Master's Current, a publication of The Master's College:

Like so many other things in the world of evangelical Christianity, ideas about evangelism are often driven by trends, fads, and over-hyped systems or programs. It seems that every three years or so some new idea about how to reach people with the gospel sweeps through churches and conferences, spawning books, seminars, websites, and new varieties of outreach ministries. Many of these movements are identified with specific ministry personalities: "Have you read so-and-so's new book on evangelism?" Before long these methodologies grow into cottage industries, with a marketing tagline, slick presentation, and product roll-out.

This is not to say that these ideas and systems are necessarily bad. I've learned from them myself, although, as you can probably tell, I'm not a big fan of "packaged-product" ministry. Like everything else, one must exercise biblical-critical discernment when evaluating any ideas, including (and perhaps especially) those with direct theological content.

Where does our desire for these "evangelistic techniques" come from? We would all like to be liked, accepted, even popular; none of us enjoys rejection. But the gospel is always a scandal when presented accurately. The cross is an offense because it is an affront. It is an insult to every belief we cling to that tells us we are good (the most desperately misbelieved lie we all tell ourselves). The cross dismantles philosophies and destroys religion. It eviscerates mere mortality and it demolishes rebellion. The gospel requires surrender with no terms for negotiation. You cannot argue with the cross: your options are spit on it, or die on it.

Thus, presenting the gospel to a lost soul is the most exhilarating of propositions: it is the harshest of attacks ("you are a sinner") while being the most merciful of rescues ("but God can save you"). It must be both to be authentic; and therefore it is inherently risky. It can be frightening.

I was once up on a sizeable cliff in Southern California on a lovely fall afternoon with three of my regular rock-climbing partners, all unbelievers, and all very successful men. One is a top cosmetic surgeon, one a very well-off international businessman, and another a famous professor at CalTech. I was seventy feet above them, leading the climb, and I heard them in a friendly debate down below--something involving me, actually. Several snippets drifted upwards, including "Don't bait him, don't bait him!" This was followed by my CalTech friend saying, "No--there's no way he believes that, he's educated!" Then the question floated up: "Grant, where did the world come from?" I called back down that God, according to the Bible--which I believed--had made it by speaking, and in just six literal days. My CalTech buddy had lost the bet with my surgeon buddy, and had to take him out that night for a $100 dinner. (Alas, I was not on the invitation list.)

Now, I had established multi-year relationships with all these men, always being open about my Christianity with them, often with the result being just this kind of "friendly" three-on-one antagonism directed my way. But I've never allowed their opinions of my faith to interfere with either my openness or our friendship. I shared my own struggles, doubts, and curiosity. I may be the only Christian they will ever know closely. And what do I have to fear? They're just men, like me, or at least before I was saved by God's grace in February of 1983.

So why was I not afraid to be open about my wacky views with my friends, and others as opportunity afforded? Not because I am bold. By nature I have always been shy, timid, retiring, and quiet. My classroom teaching and pulpit preaching personae are a bit more boisterous at times, but that is my public face before crowds. It is a pedagogical technique, designed to maximize the teaching event. Generally I am very quiet. I am the dullest person at parties, even at my own home. I just sit quietly and observe. As a child I was painfully shy, and I still am with strangers. So how do I avoid fear, or even shyness, when presenting Christianity to my friends and acquaintances?

Simple. I am a strong believer in the sovereignty of God. It is not my job to convert, to win an argument, to gain agreement; it is my job to witness. God is the converter, not me. Thankfully! I couldn't sell ice water to a thirsty man.

Furthermore, I have learned that the key to effective witnessing is authenticity. People can tell a fake. Fake Christianity really smells terrible, too--it may be the worst smell on the planet. But being real and transparent about your own struggles, your own doubts, your own weaknesses, and yes, your own sins--now that will get a listener's attention. In fact, I think a key component missing from most of our evangelistic attempts is a deliberate, unapologetic presentation of ourselves as sinners, no better and no worse in God's eyes, than anyone else. That is when you can really talk about grace to a captive audience.

I deliberately seek out pagan friends to share a significant portion of my time--especially my leisure time. This doesn't mean I engage in activities that shame Christ; it means I go to the people that He loves, and who do not know of His love. And I consciously work hard to fight the natural temptation to present a fake, "spiritual" self--one who does not wrestle with occasional doubts or uncertainties, one who does not suffer temptation, one who is not weak, frail and in desperate need of an infinitely gracious God to keep me on the right path every moment of my days. Because in weakness only am I strong at all.

Did not Christ come in weakness that was true power?

~Professor Grant Horner

A Breath, A Vapor

I don't have anything formal laid out for this post, but with all that this week has held, it seems necessary to write something. When it started on Monday, I thought the worst of it was going to be the insane juggling and multitasking going on at work. By 6pm, though, it became clear that this was not going to be the case.

An abdominal sonogram on my 90-year old grandmother, Teedie, at her assisted living home appeared to indicate imminent problems with her gallbladder, which called for her to go to the emergency room at Presbyterian Dallas in anticipation of surgery. So, at 9 o'clock that night, my parents and I followed the ambulance over there. Overnight, another sonogram in the ER dismissed the initial prognosis (gallbladder clear), but still left Teedie in the weakened state she entered.

Teedie has been declining in strength since she fell, broke her elbow, and lost her independence last summer (2009). Prior to that, she was living by herself in her house, driving her car, going to water aerobics, and even doing some work at the family used car business on a daily basis. In the months leading to the present, she has had a declining appetite and a gradually depressing physically and emotional state. When Monday arrived, she was roughly a week from her last real meal (aside from cans of Ensure), due to a lack of appetite. This resulted in her weighing only 77 pounds.

Thus, having admitted her into the hospital at Presby, the week continued. A blessed Tuesday followed with gracious encouragement from my team and others at The Porch. Casting Crowns has a song which says, "If we are the body, why aren't His hands reaching?..." This week, they have reached and bring me to tears with the way they have touched me, and by relation of prayers, my parents and grandmother.

Wednesday came with an apparent improvement on my grandmother's part as she awoke in good spirits and with a strong appetite. The day passed mostly positive with the only possible warnings being some marked confusion during a phone call between Teedie and my mom that evening.

This morning, though, during a 9 o'clock meeting at work, my parents called twice and left voicemails--a sign of problems--the latter of which I listened to as soon as it arrived. Subsequently, I made efforts to wrap up the meeting quickly and called my mom. During the night, Teedie began having difficulty processing carbon dioxide in her lungs which put her in a semi-comatose state. My mom was fighting the tears as she spoke with me and drove to the hospital. They placed Teedie on a ventilator and the day continued with her in a deep sleep and few windows of lucidity.

The question in my parents' minds tonight is whether they made the right decision in putting Teedie on the ventilator. Had they not, she most likely would have passed away today. But now, to what will she live? The Lord knows if and how she will, and in Him we place our trust.

Things don't always hit me immediately as they happen. I deal with crises and seem to defer the effects until a later date. The same happens with trivial things like movies; it takes me a bit to process deeper meanings and plots. In this situation, I thought the only heartache was for my parents as they watch Teedie in this state, because I feel confident that it will be the grace of God if He takes her at this time after 90 quality years of life. I still think that, but the tears welling up are more than just for my parents...I think. I know I haven't appreciated or loved Teedie as she deserved these years that she has been in my life. The Lord, through Teedie and her generosity, made so much of my life possible and opened the doors to my first laptop, college, part of the way to India, and now more than half of Brazil. I do love her; I just don't think I've known how to show it and I've been self-centered, which sacrifices time with her (and other passed grandparents) for my own desires. Lord, forgive me.

James 4 says that we are but a vapor, a breath, which passes away in a moment. Our only confidence is in the words, "if the Lord wills, we will..." And with Job we say, "The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised" (1:21b).

Thank you all for your prayers, your encouragement, and your support. It means more than words can say, both to me and my family. May the Lord bless you... (Numbers 6:24-26)

Ponderings from Passion 2010

After watching Louie Giglio, Francis Chan, and the worship from Passion 2010 online, I'm drawn to a number of thoughts, many of which I don't yet have answers. Here are a few...

Louie Giglio speaking on Philippians 2:

Christ has given poured everything into us. Now work it out--for it is God who works in you to will and to act for His good pleasure. Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure... Somebody has to work that out and take on this idea, "I want to be like Jesus." We want to have the opportunity to be the ones who shine like stars...and to hold out the word of life.

Excerpt from a chat with a friend:

I know (or think?) there's a place for trivial entertainment to rest, etc. I just wonder whether I mistake wasted comforts and "seashells" (to draw from Piper's DWYL) for right/proper unwinding and resting. I so infrequently eat the spiritual food of things like deep books, sermons, etc that I think I don't taste them for the rest, enjoyment, and pleasure it can be.

Another thought surrounding this:

Where is the line between "unwise" and "radical"? Assuming we are called to live radical lives for Christ, such that the world asks "why?" and thinks us foolish for it, how do I apply that? I think I may place my comforts in an entitled place when I should wager them on the table for the sake of the Kingdom.

...