A Cord of Three Strands

Why Only Gifted Artists Should Be Allowed to Paint Jesus

2011-08-03T16:46:00.007-04:00

Unexpectedly, with a three hour layover from the Lancaster train until the Boston Bus in Philadelphia, I saw in the information kiosk that the Museum of Art (yes, Rocky ran up and down its steps) had a special exhibit called "Rembrandt and the Faces of Jesus." It was a collection of some of his most famous work, sketches and oils, though I didn't care as much for the sketches, as well as the Hundert Thaler (because it sold for so much) etching of Jesus saying "forbid not the little children to come to me." In that one picture is so much fine, and so much wonderful . . . a toddler some distance, reaching for Jesus, the tenderness of Jesus, all with the economy of line and Rembrandt's unique use of light. Modern evangelicals have generally taken clip art of Jesus drawn by so" me tech school grad thinking to use such pictures to ornament a bulletin. What Rembrandt did was something beyond and not counter to the second commandment. We don't know what Jesus looks like (though artists of his day went by a supposed Lentulus letter, sent to the Roman senate in the time of Jesus and describing what He looked like, but not discovered until 1474, and almost certainly a fraud), but Rembrandt strove for a biblical realism, using a young Jewish man from his neighborhood as a model and carefully doing his Bible study, instead of the Jesus-as-idealized-Greek-god depictions of his day. He portrayed a complexity of expressions, real human ones, across the face of Jesus and overturned how people painted Jesus, the Supper at Emmaus painted at the same time that the Westminster Confession was being finished in England. In the less famous but no less startling 1628 painting above, Jesus is in silhouette while those to whom he is revealed are illuminated. Rembrandt is not making a picture of Jesus for us to worship or to fix in our heads, "Oh, that's what Jesus is like." No, he is saying, Jesus was real, human; He had human emotions, and everywhere where He was (as he is in all of the later paintings and etchings), He is light! The further from Jesus you are in these works, the more you are in the dark.
The whole opposition to images of Jesus imputed to many Reformed people is, however, unjust. Cromwell tried to stop the destruction whenever he could, restraining the unruly soldiers of his New-but-not-so-Model Army. Similarly Calvin allowed that there might be some use for paintings like those of Rembrandt's. (I'll attach a paper I wrote for the now defunct New England Reformed Journal several years ago some day soon). But all Reformed folks were concerned for the use of images that God did not create. Jesus is the one who is the image of the father. The writers of the gospel, obedient to the Holy Spirit, saw no need to insert a drawing of Jesus, because THE WORD OF GOD IS ENOUGH. They saw the superstition of their day in which people who could not read or hear sermons interpreting scripture in their own language and turned instead to pictures of Jesus around them. Rather than give their students pictures, why not just return the Word that God said is all we need for life and godliness? They so desired the Word be first place. They did so because they cared less about their personal ecclesial power than they did for the people they saw dying without the gospel. A gospel added to is no gospel, they knew, and they wanted their people to have real and new life founded on His Word alone.
So, an afternoon of watching a Dutch master preach in his own style, I suspect, Calvin would not have been offended by, unless of course they ended up where they never had been or intended to be, in church as an aid to worship. But he didn't have time . . . he labored to study God's word and comment on as much as he could before the Lord called him home. In his calling, Calvin was as gifted and careful as Rembrandt . . . which is why Calvin's commentaries remain to this day "close to the bone" of what he was studying, careful not to over-theologize nor to be sure when he wasn't, to allow the Scriptures to speak for himself. So, I too, on the bus back on soggy roads, I turn from an afternoon of the Word carefully painted to my own study, not will the gifts of a Calvin or a Rembrandt, but with all I have to bring out the complexities, the life, and the reality of His living and blazing Word. . . . . .

In this, the more famous 1648 Supper at Emmaus painting, I'm intrigued at the similarity of Caravaggio's painting of the same subject; the two with the added servant who is unaware what is happening. . . .

For a helpful and not too long study of the second commandment issue, you might want to consider this nuanced PCA position paper on paintings of Jesus in and outside of worship.

The Lord of the Church at work in Pastor and the Local Body

2011-08-03T09:34:00.005-04:00

Another breathtaking reminder from the pen of Octavius Winslow which I have neither the eloquence or grace to say, but so fully cruciformed and true. For both pastor and congregation to meditate upon, without reason to excuse either of their peculiar responsibilities.

“You all are partakers of my grace.” Philippians 1:7

Most true is it, that in the grace bestowed by God upon a Christian pastor all the members of the flock share. They partake of that which belongs to him. All the grace with which he is enriched- all the gifts with which he is endowed- all the acquirements with which he is furnished- all the afflictions with which he is visited- all the comforts with which he is soothed- all the strength with which he is upheld- all the distinction and renown with which he is adorned- belong alike to the Church over which God has made him an overseer. There is in the pastoral relation a community of interest. He holds that grace, and he exercises those gifts, not on account of his own personal holiness and happiness merely, but with a view to your holiness and happiness.

You are partakers with him. You are enriched by his “fatness,” or are impoverished by his “leanness.” The degree of his grace will be the measure of your own; the amount of his intelligence, the extent of yours. As he is taught and blest of Christ, so will you be. The glory which he gathers in communion with God will irradiate you; the grace which he draws from Jesus will sanctify you; the wealth which he collects from the study of the Bible will enrich you. Thus, in all things are you “partakers of his grace.” How important, then, that on all occasions he should be a partaker of your prayers! Thus your own best interests are his strongest plea. Your profit by him will be proportioned to your prayer for him.

To the neglect of this important duty much of the barrenness complained of in hearing the word may be traced. You have, perhaps, been wont to retire from God’s house caviling at the doctrine, dissecting the sermon in a spirit of captious criticism, sitting in judgment upon the matter or the manner of the preacher, and bitterly complaining of the unprofitableness of the preaching. With all tender faithfulness would we lay the question upon your conscience, “How much do you pray for your minister?” Here, in all probability, lies the secret of the great evil which you deplore. You have complained of your minister to others (alas! how often and how bitterly, to your deep humiliation be it spoken); have you complained of him to the Lord?

Have you never seriously reflected how closely allied may be the deficiency in the pulpit, of which you complain, to your own deficiency in the closet, of which you have not been aware? You have restrained prayer in behalf of your pastor. You have neglected to remember in especial, fervent intercession with the Lord, the instrument on whom your advancement in the divine life so much depends. You have looked up to him as a channel of grace, but you have failed to ask at the hands of Jesus that grace of which he is but the channel. You have waited upon his ministrations for instruction and comfort, but you have neglected to beseech for him that teaching and anointing, by which alone he could possibly establish you in truth, or console you in sorrow. You have perhaps observed a poverty of thought, and have been sensible of a lack of power in his ministrations; but you have not traced it in part to your own poverty and lack in the spirit and habit of prayer in his behalf.

You have marveled at, and lamented, the absence of sympathy, feeling, and tenderness in the discharge of his pastoral duties, but you have forgotten to sympathize with the high responsibilities, oppressive anxieties, and bewildering engagements inseparable from the office which your pastor fills, and in which he may largely share, often “under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life.” Thus in a great degree the cause of an unprofitable hearing of the word may be found nearer home than was suspected. There has been a suspension of prayer and sympathy on your part, and God has permitted a suspension of power and sympathy on his.

There's No Place Like Home, Part II

2011-08-02T11:14:00.001-04:00

Not often that you can go to the grocery store (Weis Markets) and find signs like these!

What Sovereign Grace Looks Like in Practice

2011-07-11T09:59:00.004-04:00

I heard garbled on Redeemer Broadcasting that the leader of Sovereign Grace Ministries had stepped down. I had listened to and read books by C.J. Mahaney, even given one out to high school grads, and most recently heard him speak at a CCEF convention. It was refreshing to remember that, although we had disagreements in theology, we were in agreement on the inerrancy of God's Word, Who God is, why we needed saving, Who Jesus was and what He did. This was a brother in arms. What had happened? Sexual immorality? Financial deceit? As common in the world of politics as the church, it seems. Not walking the talk. Having just preached on psalm 32 and David's repentance, my wife and I wondered, grieved. Then I went to the church site and found his blog where he explained why. It wasn't what we feared, but it was what we had hoped. His sin was real and serious and he admits it, without question. BUT His letter is the stuff, the reality, of Psalm 32. There are no heroes among us. There is only one Hero. C.J.'s response shows what genuine repentance and restoration ought to look like. As was, at least to some degree, Jonathan Edwards'. Without question Edwards failed in shepherding as we would see it, preferring to spend all day studying in his office than visiting people unless they were sick or in another emergency (THOUGH he was a devoted and loving husband and father). He failed in being wise about the way he pursued those teens caught up in the distribution of a book on midwivery, calling both the guilty and the innocent to account in a way that made all look guilty. (Here is a great and level blog on the subject if you'd like to read more.) But, it is how both of these responded at the moment when they were brought to account that shows what really matters about His Church. To pretend we are perfect and have it all together, is to lie about the continuing effects of remaining sin in us (Romans 7). To attend to what God says: self-examination, repentance, and requesting forgiveness, to seek the wise counsel of others, to pray for change, to not strike back; well, this is the stuff for which Christ lived and died and to which He calls us. Read C.J.'s response to see the practical outworking of what we read in psalms 51, 32. and 38, and see the reality of what it means that we are, until He calls us home and we see Him face to face and are like Him, deeply flawed clay pots who every day stand in need of His grace that lifts the burden of sin from our shoulders by carrying it, His blood that covers our brokenness as the infractions of the broken law in the ark of the covenant were covered by blood on the mercy seat and not "seen" by the Manifested Presence between the wings of the cherubim above, as our sin is written in the ledger book of Jesus and He is considered in default for us, and His perfect life is written into our accounts and we are solvent for no reason but being united with Him. This is the center of the gospel, not hanging on to our pride, and illusions of grandeur, but agreeing with what He says and seeing ourselves as He sees us now in Christ. We are free to admit who we are and compelled to confess the glory of all that He is.

There's No Place Like Home, There's . . . .

2011-06-24T11:24:00.004-04:00

Simply too good not to pass on. Yes, this is a real sign, which my wife captured with her phone while passing through Akron, Pennsylvania this morning. The only question remaining is are they for lunch or do these people need to see the doctor?

2011-04-05T20:44:00.003-04:00

"The church that can't worship must be entertained. And men who can't lead a church to worship must provide the entertainment."

A.W. Tozer (1897-1963)

Random Acts of Culture

2010-11-09T18:30:00.009-05:00

Likely no one in the world reads this, AND I am so erratic, but someone just sent me a link to this by email. It's hard to believe how remarkable is this performance of Handel's Hallelujah Chorus with the Opera Company of Philadelphia and 32 area choirs in what is now Macy's in central Philadelphia. If you have not yet seen it, follow this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wp_RHnQ-jgU The store is now Macy's, but the organ is the one built for the St. Louis World's Fair and bought and installed in his Philadelphia store by John Wanamaker, the man who created the first "department" store.

What many do not know is who he was, here from http://www.christianity.com/ChurchHistory/11630732/:

On March 12, 1888, fifty year old John Wanamaker laboriously hand-copied letters to each member of his large Sunday School class--a Sunday school which he had founded. The central thought of the letter was, "If you are not saved my dear friend--flee to the merciful Savior, as you would fly, into this warm room tonight out of the cold streets & the drifting snow. -- If you are saved -- humbly trusting in what Jesus did when his loved failed not on the Cross -- think of others not saved -- NOT SAVED -- going to the eternal darkness -- your near friend, your relative -- and do something!"

All of his life, John Wanamaker did something--not only toward converting people but in making American business what it became. A Presbyterian, he was a strong advocate of the YMCA in the years when its chief concern was to convert men to Christ. He was so successful in promoting the organization that its backers named him national secretary. But John married and had to find work that would support his family. A go-getter (he took his first job as an errand boy at age thirteen for the salary of $1.25 a week) John and a partner bought a men's clothing business.

With a flair for big projects, John bought an abandoned rail depot and tried to coax other merchants to open shops in the building. When he couldn't persuade others to take the risk, he set up his own shops, creating one of the first successful department stores in the nation. His building even had a wireless telegraph--and consequently was the first station in the United States to learn of the sinking of the Titanic. John was a leader in advertising, in money-back guarantees and in offering his employees benefits such as pensions, life insurance, and vacations. His New York store was the first to display electric Christmas lights.

Through it all, John's concern for souls continued. During the Civil War, he was a strong supporter of the United States Civil Commission, an agency which brought medical and spiritual comfort to soldiers. He gave enormous sums to charities, such as the Children's Wing of Philadelphia's Presbyterian hospital. He devoted Sundays to religious work. "If you once have the joy and sweet pleasure of bringing one soul to Christ, you will be hungry to get another," he said.

Asked in an interview how he managed to carry the load of his many tasks, John replied, "When I weary of one detail, I turn to another, and there is rest of mind in that." He advised, "Do the very best you can and leave the rest to Providence."

As a soul-winner, he believed he did not have to work alone. "When you have faith enough & love enough to start out in the effort to bring a soul to the Savior -- God the Holy Ghost joins in your effort, for God wants every one saved & He works with even the poorest instrument that engages in His work."

Somehow, it seems to me that an event like this is just the sort of thing that would have delighted Mr. Wanamaker's heart, however pale and wan it must seem compared to the music he enjoys this day in Glory with his Savior.

Octavius Winslow again to the reminder

2010-09-01T15:38:00.005-04:00

I find myself again and again refreshed when I meditate upon the preaching of those whom God has so mightily gifted. Yes, it takes time to get past the language of another century; but when I take the time and "gaze on the beauty of the Lord," I am by God's grace rewarded with another reminder of the all-comprehensive start-to-finish work of God in the life of a poor sinner like me. And I rejoice. Consider these words from Dr. Winslow and take a little time to meditate on the pictures from the scriptures he brings forth to remind us of what we "Christians" are and the immensity of what Jesus has done:

“When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished; and he bowed his head, and gave up the spirit.” John 19:30

A jar of sour wine was sitting there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put it on a hyssop branch, and held it up to his lips. When Jesus had tasted it, he said, “It is finished!” Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. John 19:29-30

Believer in Jesus! remember, all your confidence, all your hope, all your comfort flows from the finished work of your Savior. See that you unwittingly add nothing to the perfection of this work. You may be betrayed into this sin and this folly by looking within yourself, rather than to the person of Jesus; by attaching an importance too great to repentance and faith, and your own doings and strivings, rather than ceasing from your own works altogether, and resting for your peace, and joy, and hope; simply, entirely, and exclusively in the work of Jesus. Remember, that whatever we unintentionally add to the finished work of Christ mars the perfection and obscures the beauty of that work. “If you lift up your tool upon it, you have polluted it.”

We have nothing to do, but in our moral pollution and nakedness to plunge beneath the fountain, and wrap ourselves within the robe of that Savior’s blood and righteousness, who, when He expired on the tree, so completed our redemption, as to leave us nothing to do but to believe and be saved.

“It is finished!” Oh words pregnant of the deepest meaning! Oh words rich in the richest consolation! Salvation is finished! Look away from your fluctuating frames, and fitful feelings, and changing clouds, to “Jesus only.” Look away from sins and guilt, from emptiness and poverty, to “Jesus only.” “It is finished!” Let devils hear it, and tremble! Let sinners hear it, and believe! Let saints hear it, and rejoice! All is finished!

“Then, Lord, I flee to You, just as I am! I have stayed away from You too long, and am ‘yet instead of getting better, I grew worse.’ Too exclusively have I looked at my unworthiness, too absorbed have I been with my impoverishment, too bitterly have I mourned having nothing to pay. Upon Your own finished work I now cast myself. Save, Lord, and I shall be saved!”

Before this stupendous truth, let all creature merit sink, let all human glory pale, let all man’s boasting vanish, and let Jesus be all in all. Perish, forms and ceremonies; perish, rites and rituals; perish, creeds and churches; perish, utterly and forever perish, whatever would be a substitute for the finished work of Jesus, whatever would tend to neutralize the finished work of Jesus, whatever would obscure with a cloud, or dim with a vapor; the beauty, the luster, and the glory of the finished work of Jesus!

It was “Jesus only” in the councils of eternity; it was “Jesus only” in the everlasting covenant of grace; it was “Jesus only” in the manger of Bethlehem; it was “Jesus only” in the garden of Gethsemane; it was “Jesus only” upon the cross of Calvary; it was “Jesus only” in the tomb of Joseph; it was “Jesus only” who, “when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high.” And it shall be “Jesus only”; the joy of our hearts, the object of our glory, the theme of our song, the Beloved of our adoration, our service, and our praise, through the endless ages of eternity. Oh, stand fast, in life and in death, by the finished work of Jesus.

2010 Annual Meeting In Springfield

2010-07-28T23:00:00.012-04:00

What an amazing, unexpected, encouraging, uplifting, humbling time Deb and I have had. Monday evening started with a brass quartet playing along with the hymns (AND "One Holy Temple, Rising"). Note Matt Pearson on trumpet and Deb Greelish on French Horn.

Karen Green with Jubilate Singers and Bob Whitlinger on Bass on Tuesday night.

Kirk van der Swagh, son Caleb (from the Neighborhood Church in NYC) along with Karen Green perform one of the most beautiful versions of "How Deep the Father's Love" I have ever heard, and one I will remember always.

Here am I conducting the singing of the assembly with the brass on Monday night. The way this assembly has taken to the singing of hymns and new songs has surprised and delighted me. I wish all could have heard this full-hearted and rich congregational singing.

Ron Hamilton speaks on the remarkable work the CCCC is doing with Church Redevelopment and Church Planting.

Help in Prayer

2010-07-22T22:15:00.005-04:00

By way of a pastor I much respect I stumbled upon this perfect morsel of bread, beggar that I am, from Octavius Winslow, a descendant of the Puritan Edward Winslow (who came over on the Mayflower in 1620).

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Octavius-Winslow/313427671822 is the Facebook site where you may subscribe to a "morning and evening" devotional featuring his writings. This is heart-rending stuff.

“And the Holy Spirit helps us in our distress. For we don’t even know what we should pray for, nor how we should pray. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words.” Romans 8:26

The Holy Spirit is here represented in the character of a pleader or advocate for the saints. To form a vivid conception of this truth, we have but to imagine an anxious and embarrassed client prosecuting some important suit, or, perchance, battling for his life in a court of justice. At his side stands his counselor, thoroughly acquainted with the nature of his case, and deeply versed in the bearings of the law. He is there to instruct his client how to shape his course, with what arguments to support, with what pleas to urge, with what words to clothe his suit. Such is the advocacy and such the aid of the Spirit in the matter of prayer. We stand in the presence of the Lord–it may be to deprecate a deserved punishment, or to plead for a needed blessing.

“We don’t even know what we should pray for, nor how we should pray.” How shall we order our cause before the Great Judge? With what feelings, with what language, with what arguments shall we unburden our heart, unveil our sorrow, confess our sin, and make known our request? How shall I overcome the remembrance of past ingratitude, and the conviction of present guilt, and the pressure of deep need, and the overwhelming sense of the Divine Majesty? How shall I wake the heart to feeling; rouse the dull, sluggish emotions of the soul; recall the truant affections; and concentrate the mind upon the holy and solemn engagement? But our counselor is there! “The Holy Spirit prays for us.” And how does He this?

He indites the prayer. Do not think that that spiritual petition, which breathed from your lips and rose as an incense-cloud before the mercy-seat, was other than the inditing of the Holy Spirit. He inspired that prayer, He created those desires, and He awoke those groanings. The form of your petition may have been ungraceful, your language simple, your sentences broken, your accents tremulous, yet there was an eloquence and a power in that prayer which reached the heart and moved the arm of God. It overcame the Angel of the Covenant. And whose eloquence and whose power was it?–the interceding Spirit’s.

He also teaches us what to pray for. Many and urgent as our needs are, we only accurately know them as the Spirit makes them known. Alas! what profound ignorance of ourselves must we cherish, when we know not what we should ask God for as we ought! But the Spirit reveals our deep necessity, convinces us of our emptiness, poverty, and need, and teaches us what blessings to ask, what evils to deprecate, what mercies to implore.

He sympathizes, too, with our infirmity in prayer, by portraying to our view the parental character of God. Sealing on our hearts a sense of adoption, he emboldens us to approach God with filial love and child-like confidence. He leads us to God as a Father. Nor must we overlook the skill with which the Spirit enables us to urge in our approaches to God the sinner’s great plea–the atoning blood of Jesus. This is no small part of the Divine aid we receive in our infirmity. Satan, the accuser of the saints, even follows the believer to the throne of grace to confront and confound him there. When Joshua stood before the Angel of the Lord, Satan stood at his right hand to resist him. But the Spirit, too, is there! He is there in the character, and to discharge the office, of the praying soul’s Intercessor. He instructs the accused suppliant what arguments to use, what pleas to urge, and how to resist the devil. He strengthens the visual organ of the soul, so that it clearly discerns the blood upon the mercy-seat within the veil, on which it fixes the eye in simple faith. Oh, it is the delight of the Spirit to take of the things of Jesus–His love, His work, His sympathy, His grace, His power–and show them to the soul prostrate in prayer before the throne of grace.

Ah, the Glorious Encampment on the Hill!

2010-07-05T13:51:00.008-04:00

Words to the this year's New England Camp Cedarbrook theme song (um, by me . . . the 11th or 12th or 13th one . . . . ?), the singing of which you may find posted on their site in video form:

Because of Who You are, I "Holy, Holy" cry.

Lord, come and bring Your coal

and cleanse these lips of mine.

Chorus

Because of Who You are I am not what I was,

my broken self is ravished by Your patient love.

Because of Whose I am, I will be as He is,

with the redeemed I will sing the praise of our King:

How wise and wonderful Your ways.

Come, thirsty one, to Me and drink.

Amazing love, how sweet the sound we sing,

because of Who You are.

Where once were ashes found,

with joy and beauty we are crowned.

You've planted us as oaks

in whom Your righteousness abounds.

Link to the song: http://www.facebook.com/pages/New-England-Camp-Cedarbrook/117296001637044?ref=ts

Another Picture

2010-07-01T08:36:00.005-04:00

Again, going to the well of the Bible exposition of Pastor Calvin . . . very sweet to me this morning. A grave and great reminder of the love with which we have been loved and called.

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not!"

We now perceive the reason why Christ, speaking in the person of God, compares himself to "a hen." It is to inflict deeper disgrace on the wicked nation that had treated with disdain his gentle invitation. This invitation proceeds from more than maternal kindness. It is an amazing and unparalleled example of love that God does not disdain to stoop to those persuasions by which he might tame rebels into subjection.

Prophets were sent to "gather together" wandering and dispersed people into the bosom of God. By this means he means that whenever the Word of God is exhibited to us, God opens his bosom to us with maternal kindness. Not satisfied with this, he condescends to the humble affection of a hen watching over her chickens. When he compares himself to a mother, he descends very far below his glory; how much more, then, when he takes the form of a hen and deigns to treat us as his chickens?

Besides, if this charge was justly brought against the people who lived under the law, it is far more applicable to us. For though the complaints that we find in Isaiah are just in saying that in vain God spread out his hands every day to embrace a hard-hearted and rebellious people (Isaiah 65:2), that though he rose up early (Jeremiah 7:13), he gained nothing by his incessant care of them; yet now, with far greater familiarity and kindness, he invites us to himself by his Son. Therefore, whenever he exhibits to us the doctrine of the gospel, dreadful vengeance awaits us if we do not quietly hid ourselves under his wings, by which he is ready to receive and shelter us. At the same time, Christ teaches us that all enjoy safety and rest who by the obedience of faith are "gathered together" to God; because under his wings they have an impregnable fortress. ( Un refuge quine peut faillir, et contre lequel il n’y a point de puissance qui ait lieu — “a refuge which cannot fail, and against which no power can succeed.”) from Pastor Calvin's Commentary on Matthew, Mark, Luke, Volume 3.

(as abstracted by Joel Beeke in DayOne's 365 days with Calvin . . .)

Romans 7:14-24

2010-06-07T08:07:00.005-04:00

Nancy Cowchok, who sings in The Bloom Consort, and the Calvin 500 Ensemble, the University of Delaware's Schola Cantorum, here at a relaxed moment. Nancy sang Karen Green's alternatingly lilting and terrifying and limping waltz "A Lovely Day." You have to hear it to get the sliding and twisting effect of the soul's struggle with remaining sin, but here is Karen's (copyright) text:

A lovely day, sun was bright. I smiled to myself, things were all right.

Life was at peace, but soon there would be war, for sin was crouching at my door.

And its desire was for me. I turned quickly, horrible to see.

As I took a startled breath, his goal for me was death.

But one more look, makes good sense, just a touch experience.

Know I should run away, but only one time, will I really have to pay?

And then he held out his hands. He crouched no more, wanted just one dance.

"Let's do a waltz." Should have known, so tall, so strong . . . How could it be so wrong?

As long as I'm in control nothing from him can infect my soul.

I'll take the lead. He's so calm, so tame, so staid. Why should I be afraid?

"Thank you sir, I've had enough. We'll rest awhile, your waltz is tough."

Catch my breath, then we can try to dance again. Until that time I'll say, "Good-bye," so . . . Please, please let me go. Your arms seem to grow.

Imprisoned by my sin, torn by war within, who will rescue me? How will I be saved?

Sometimes I try to fight. I have the wish to do what is right.

But I give up. It is just a losing war; he's got me all the more.

Body fights with my mind, there's no peace that I can find.

In my weak and dying heart the law of sin is slowly tearing me apart so . . .

Please, please let me go.
Your arms seems to grow.

Imprisoned by my sin, torn by war within, who will rescue me?

How will I be saved?

Of course, Karen follows this with the brass declaring the freedom we have in our justification and our process of being sanctified with "Thank God through Jesus Christ, our Lord. There is no condemnation no for those who are in Jesus Christ! Because through Him the law of the spirit of life has set me free. Jesus Christ our Lord has set me free from the law of sin and death. Jesus Christ, our Lord!" (Romans 7:25; 8:1-2)

As someone has written (not Karen, this time), "Sin always takes us further than we want to go, it keeps us longer than we want to stay, and it always costs much more than we want to pay."

Another shot of the Emmanuel Presbyterian rehearsal. I am, as in all of the photos, a blur.

Rom'n in Pennsylvania

2010-06-06T22:53:00.011-04:00

What a week. Deb and I left Tuesday to come down to Horsham, Pennsylvania, that I might conduct two performances of Karen Green's Romans oratorio, one in Wilmington, Delaware, and tonight's in Hatboro at the Trinity Orthodox Presbyterian Church. The Keystone Youth Choir was the bulk of the choral group with members of the choirs of Trinity and Emmanuel OPC. So many things that I will have to post about this in several days worth. From professional and godly soloists (yes, that is not only possible but wonderfully true) to all of us amateurs both performances were filled with remarkable stories and examples of God's grace. Wonderful, amazing singing and, as well, playing from the gifted instrumentalists, many new to Karen's piece. Here's a picture of much of the group from the Sunday night performance. Karen is to the far right side of the picture at the piano. Next left in the photo are Branch Fields (http://www.robert-gilder.com/ArtistDetail.aspx?artist_id=2069&category_id=1002&location_id=3001) and Michelle Jennings (http://www.michelle-jennings.com/). Nancy Cowchok, the other soloist is next to the left. In yellow is Esther Jane Kulp, extraodinary director of the Keystone Youth Choir.

The whole group in pre-performance rehearsal in Wilmington.

A candid shot of Branch and Michelle singing "Enemies."

Standing on the Promises

2010-06-06T22:32:00.005-04:00

I am continually struck that those who so despair of Pastor Calvin have simply never read his commentaries. One of my favorite devotionals is one from DayOne that is a collection of the writings, mostly from his commentaries (the following one from his commentary on Matthew, Mark, and Luke) pulled together by Joel Beeke, who is speaking at the Bolton Conference this year. I find Calvin's thoughtful and careful study of the text an important reminder that we stand on the shoulders of other believers, like Mary, when we by faith take hold of God's promises and see how they do not depend on people but on Him. I am also continually struck with how immediately something written in the 1500's about something written in the first century AD is relevant to my day by day walk. The following bears, I think, much reflection.

And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord. Luke 1:45

The truth of God does not depend on the will of men. God always remains true to his promises even if the whole world of unbelievers and liars attempts to ruin his veracity. Yet, as unbelievers are unworthy to obtain the fruit of the promises, so Scripture teaches us that by faith alone these promises are powerful for our salvation.

God offers his benefits indiscriminately to all, and faith opens its bosom to receive them, while unbelief allows them to pass out of reach. If there was any unbelief in Mary, that could not have prevented God from accomplishing his work in another way that he chose. But Mary is called “blessed” because she received by faith the blessing offered to her. Faith opened up the way to God for its accomplishment. Unbelief, on the other hand, shuts the gate and restrains God’s hand from working that they who refuse the praise due to [faith’s] power may not feel [faith’s] saving effect.

We must observe also the relationship between the Word and faith. For we learn that, in the act of believing, we give assent to God, who speaks to us and holds for certain what he has promised that he will do for us. From the Lord has the same meaning as the common expression “on the part of God,” for the promise brought by the angel proceeded from God alone. Hence we see that whether God uses the efforts of angels or of men, he wishes equal honor to be paid to his Word as if he were visibly descended from heaven.

Commentary on Matthew, Mark, and Luke by John Calvin

The Saint Anne's of East 12th Street

2010-05-30T23:17:00.005-04:00

A Visual and Cautionary Parable . . . .

Ah, bliss . . . .

2010-01-19T10:59:00.002-05:00

One of the reasons I love Carlisle. These grainy iphone pictures can't capture the glory of this insistent and gentle grace from heaven, but oh, for the purity of the white and the weakness of its power as it covers everything.

No human power can stop it, but only attempt to move it around.

For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. Romans 1:20

On with the show, this is it . . .

2009-11-11T21:46:00.007-05:00

Here we are with the cooler (recognize this, Kathy?) from someone at church in which we kept just some of the things Deb had prepared cold (it was 66 Monday night in NYC!) We are at one end of the room where Josh’s opening is set-up.

Here is the sign for Josh’s show, a tip to the Google alternate search line, but also to his upcoming graduation . . . (sadly, you can't tell that he has painstakingly inked in the pixelated words and then made a denril [I think] mask for them).
The show is stunning in it's epic grandness on an infinitessimal scale. One teaser before I head up to change into my suit and head back to the Cooper Union. On the internet, a picture does not do justice to what he has done. But look at this kitty from internet site Icanhazcheeseburger. Click on it to see closer . . . This was a blank piece of paper when he started, to which he applied a fine tipped felt pen, holding it at certain spots of a continuous line, one straight line at a time. Serious and compelling (and 8 1/2 by 11), they draw you in and you see the fineness of his work with line.

Here is the photo of the artist as a young man (Henry James lived only a few blocks from here) . . . . or young man as an artist . . . ?

And here is Ellen Cushing just arrived, talking to the chief caterer . . . . more and in a more orderly fashion Thursday . . .

A bagel a day keeps the nebbish in you away . . .

2009-11-10T16:18:00.005-05:00

Here, hopefully is the reordered set of pictures. More coming tomorrow. So many people and . . . well, proud parents. Here is of Deb in front of our wonderful hotel.

Here's a tiny part of their menu on a roll of paper. What a place.

Do you see how good is this spectacular sesame bagel with salmon and cream cheese (with capers), onions, and tomato that we shared? Nothing like it!

The Morning of the Day

2009-11-10T09:21:00.002-05:00

Ah, the daytime panorama out of our sixth floor room looking west, I think. Out to Murray's for marvelous bagels, a little walking and then over to Cooper Union for preparation in the afternoon . . .

On which we arrive in Manhattan

2009-11-09T22:16:00.003-05:00

After all the packing and a mostly uneventful but enjoyable trip, and much traffic once we hit Manhattan, we got to see Josh and drop off a couple of things before he headed to class and then some final preparations after class.

We're again glad to be staying at the Larchmont Hotel, which is close to Greenwich Village. We're on the 6th floor and have one of the greatest views we've ever had . . . and, live, it's not quite as blurry as this photo seems to indicate . . . . where is that tripod when I really need it?

We couldn't wait to go to our favorite Italian restaurant, just a little further down the block, Gene's. Old world waiters; they even scrape the crumbs away after the main course. We have never been disappointed here and go almost every time.

Do you see the rose at the table? The one with the fork. Both of us had the same . . . broiled scallops, all part of a combined meal that included, for me, the smoothest and most wonderful chopped liver and spaghetti as a side, the real Italian kind, both the pasta and the wonderfully light and fresh tomato sauce. Oh and the creme brule that came along with the meal for dessert. Untouchable.

Tomorrow's the big day; after driving around the block for over and hour to find a parking space from which I didn't need to move the car the next morning early, I got ice and placed it in all the coolers around the food Deb has prepared, as tonight it is only as cool as 64 degrees in Manhattan. Deb's already asleep and I'm down in the lobby where there is wireless to add this post. What a day tomorrow will be! And so many of his friends have come along side, even last night having a Senior Show dinner for him. Wonderful to see . . . . Some people from Massachusetts coming down and my sister and dad coming up . . . 6:00 tomorrow night. Now for a couple of hours of work on the gospel of Matthew for a beginning of a series this Sunday on this remarkable biography of Jesus. Please do pray for all of this . . . . .

i'm feeling lucky

2009-11-09T10:16:00.002-05:00

The title of Josh's Senior Show (recognize it from the Google search page?). Here are all the things Deb has assembled to cater Tuesday evening's opening. Weeks of thinking, days of cutting, making, cooking, and a cake by Diane Melanson with one of Josh's first works of art from 1990 . . . "a man with a birthday hat on holding a sign that says 'Happy Birthday,'" Josh told his mom when she asked him to draw a picture for his Grandma's birthday. Many of his friends helping in way way that is characteristic of Josh's reaching out to help others with their own shows in the past. We're on the road.

Wednesday in Iowa

2009-07-23T00:24:00.004-04:00

Dr. Briscoe continued in Ephesians 4, now emphasizing the unity and diversity that is found in our God and which therefore must be found in his people. An obvious requirement is that we live in unity, if we are an evidence of God's ability to bring together all things. Make every effort to maintain the unity of the spirit. "Whereas any idiot can have an argument, it takes mature people to find points of agreement and put other things aside for later attention in order that we might be building each other up, unifying ourselves rather than disintegrating and deteriorating like the rest of the cosmos around us."

My seminar was with missionary Larry Correll and his wife Sue. They discussed typical issues in the field, one of which will be my opening sermon illustration on Sunday

One of the wonderful treats was Pastor Tim Sir and the praise band from his church (at least I think they were). Earlier in the morning, in addition to playing for hymns and praise songs, they had sung "I'll Fly Away." At the end of the blog for today is a link (I hope) to "When the Roll Is Called Up Yonder." Vocal harmonies were great. The young young man playing bass is the son of the banjo player to his left and is playing his first "gig."

In the evening, we again heard from David Olson. I remain unconvinced that, for all the information he has helpfully gathered, he has correctly identified what are the real causes and therefore how to address them. I add his central Powerpoint slides without comment. The argument is essentially that, if we don't act soon, there won't be any American church left, we'll continue the trend seen since, at least, the 1950's. To me it seems a little like saying, "The car won't run. It doesn't move forward. To remedy this, we need to give it a new paint job and better tires, because cars that run well usually have a good paint job and good tires." But maybe the problem is that it's out of gas. Gathering characteristics about the "stoppedness" of a car does not mean that you've understood WHY it has stopped. And if you don't understand that, any remedy will not do what the car really needs. Again this talk (which can hardly be called a sermon) was secondarily about Scripture (which is the perfect revelation--God telling us what is right with the church and what the church needs) and primarily about statistical compilation. And driven byh a dStill, Dr. Olson raises some good questions and, after all, the first disciples began their work of evangelizing the world not so much because they did what Jesus said, but because persecution kicked them out of Jerusalem and on their way. I look forward to reading and evaluating this book so at the center of the CCCC's direction in church redevelopment and planting.

When%20the%20Roll%20is%20Called%20Up%20Yonder.MP3

Tuesday in Iowa

2009-07-22T13:58:00.007-04:00

The morning began with my first hearing of the teaching of Stuart Briscoe, pastor of the large Elmbrook Church which he pastored for over forty years. He has written over 40 books and is now heard on Telling the Truth Ministries's radio and internet broadcasts. Simply one of the best Bible teachers I've ever heard. His job was to each on the conference text Ephesians 4:16, which he did by pulling back to view it in the context of the whole book. He preached for over an hour, but no one knew it; he was compelling and had the congregation with him all the way. While there is so much to relate about this particular message, let me excerpt just a small section:

Ephesians 3:10—God’s intent is that the Church is to be an object lesson to the rulers and authorities in the heavenlies—the invisible realm of spiritual reality—there are all kinds of rulers and authorities and God is running a seminar for them—he’s saying, Look at the church, and if you look at the church you’ll see a living breathing, pulsating demonstration of my work.

So on a Sunday morning—let’s pause to remember that we are on the screen—we are case study number 1—have you ever thought of yourselves like that?—People might actually get there early for church!

The rulers and authorities think they are winning in this world of ours, but they are not. The biggest evidence of this is the church. God is using us not only to show the principalities that they’re not as powerful as they thought they were, but also to show rulers and authorities that their days are numbered and they’re on the losing side. –You principalities try to keep Jews and Gentiles at each other’s throats. But I brought them together.

Do you realize what it means to be part of the church? If God can’t bring disparate people together, how can it be that he will bring the cosmos together, all things together under the Lordship of Christ? This is what the local group of believers are called to be in the environment in which you are placed. We are a message to a fragmenting, fractious society . . . Church is often as fragmented and fractious as the society around it . . .

I've appreciated much of the music for the conference. Last night a jazz flautist from this city played with a superb jazz pianist (he and Aaron would have gotten along well together . . . ) .

But, before that, I drove out to see a little of the surrounding area and to go to a grocery store. While I did see a variety of store names interesting, new, and Iowan, I also ran into a Christian bookstore of the type I was used to in Pennsylvania. BIG, too. Same sort of trinkets and stuff you'd find anywhere, though.

The evening talk was by a Dr. David T. Colson, who lives "across the lake" from our conference minister, Steve Gammon. He has compiled many statistics and compared them in new ways, and asks some interesting questions of churches. At this point, I'm a little skeptical, but I bought the book and want to listen carefully when he speaks again tomorrow night. The morning was a sermon, scripture driven and defined; the evening, not so much. But, that was not its goal and it leaves intriguing questions.
Two charts compiling some of his study: The first shows growth in American churches, grouping them by when the church was started. We are among the oldest churches in our conference. But, the point is that older churches aren't growing.
The second shows growth by size. Dr. Olson believes he has isolated the cause of the interesting leaps at both ends of the chart. Churches between 1 and 49 (to the left) have growth, because they have "intimacy." And churches at the other end, the megachurches, grow because they provide services well. You'll note that we, and most of American churches, are in the middle, the churches that are not growing. He says that these are the two critical poles: intimacy and doing ministry well (he may mean by this programs--not clear yet) determines whether a church grows. This is not at all clear to me, and I wonder, having not read his book yet, whether he may have left out a lot of other variables in his selection. One hears so many "answers" for the church over the years, that one is tempted to be skeptical. He left us with two questions, from the last screen.
We have come to a time when the "easy pickings" are no longer there, people who are prepared by their culture to come to Christ. There needs to be a new way of thinking about evangelism. And that has set me to thinking.
Well, one of the best things about these conferences, as I have already said, is to pray and think and reflect while away from the immediate fires of ministry. A valuable and challenging and thoughtful time with pastors and people with whom I've stood for over 20 years.

2009-07-20T22:54:00.006-04:00

A mostly uneventful day of travel, with Deb and I dropping Kyle off for his week with our beloved brothers and sisters at the Bronx Household of Faith. I envy him a little, but I find myself very thankful that God has me exactly where He has me today. It was good to be lifted above all the many details and see things from a different perspective. See the many yachts in the waters after we took off? (you may need to double-click on the picture to see it large enough--it was spectacular).

The pilot told us a bit later that "Now you can tell the folks back home that you went over Niagara Falls," But I was on the wrong side of the plane.

The terrain began to change, but the cloud structures were dazzling. Down

below began to look more and more like the Lancaster County (PA!) of my youth.

The corn was as high as an elep . . .

well, it really was, and lots of it. The airport at Cedar Rapids was pretty small with few being picked up.

Here is the banner the greeted me in the main hall where we have all our meetings. The hotel and convention center are in downtown Waterloo. I heard someone say, "I've never seen such wide streets with so few cars." The theme this year is close to the theme of the year I wrote, "A Love that Grows . . . " as the theme song for the conference held at Gordon College.

The opening message (about an hour and some) was by our conference minister, Steve Gammon. To my mind, this was one of the best I've heard him give, stirring. His principle points were:

Whenever God calls us---WE ANSWER & LISTEN.

When God commands us---WE GO & DO & SAY.

Whoever God calls us with---WE LOVE & JOIN.

He closed by reminding us of the morning the church he was pastoring sent him off to serve as a chaplain in the Navy. He resolved to respond to the call of the Navy and prepared for one of his elders to preach that morning, Steve himself wearing his uniform. The elder said, "We are a team." (The elder was, of course, thinking of the Red Sox.) Every team has it's star players, and Steve has been one of those. But he's not the team. We're all the team. I want to tell you today that I'm ready to get off the bench and take my bat and my glove to do my part. This is no time to be a spectator."

Chilling History

2009-03-06T00:12:00.003-05:00

The significance of learning from the mistakes of others through the study of history seems lost these days. For those of you who have an uncritical view of any political figure, consider these quotes from Germans before WWII writing of the "delusion" that swept over a population inoculated against Christianity and bent on "free-thinking." A thoughtful corrective for those of any party who uncritically look to politics to do what only the Lord can do when He changes heart. I first heard these quotes in a 1999 sermon mp3 by a British prince of the pulpit in our day, Dick Lucas. The context was a discussion of 2 Thessalonians 2 and the "man of lawlessness." Mr. Lucas saw Hitler as one of many examples of "men of lawlessness" who have been (and will be) brought into a positions of power because God sent a "strong delusion" on the populace that those who support these "men" might fully invest themselves in believing what it false. All this because they refused to believe the Truth.

The atmosphere of general enthusiasm into which the old city has been plunged is amazing and quite indescribable: the peculiar frenzy which has gripped hundreds of thousands of men and women, the romantic excitement and mystic ecstasy which has overtaken them like a holy rapture. An effect is produced which many find irresistible. They return home seduced and taken in, ready to serve the cause, with no idea of the dangerous reality which is concealed beneath the deceptive pomp of the huge processions and parades.

The French Ambassador to Germany upon witnessing the extraordinary impact which the 1937 Nuremberg Rally had on the crowds

The most seductive factor was Hitler’s messianic image. For Germany found itself in an ideological and ethical vacuum. We had lost our Emperor, our national identity had been damaged. The majority of the population had no religious faith. I think that for many National Socialism was a substitute religion which aroused a deep enthusiasm and provided a new source of strength. People wanted to get stuck in and work for a better life.

Isa Vermehren, German film actress and entertainer who later was imprisoned at Ravensbrück, Buchenwald, and Dachau, writing after the war.

Frustrated by an insoluble political crisis, the German people had tired of rational thinking, and believed those who taught that “reason paralyses the will, saps the spirit, destroys the basis of society.” This made them vulnerable to the collective self-delusion that: “a man would come, a leader, a Caesar, a Messiah, and perform miracles. He would assume responsibility for the future, take control of everyone’s lives, banish fear, put an end to misery, create a new people, a glorious new Reich, and, fulfilling a supernatural mission, change old Adam into a new man.”

Ernst Toller, German Marxist and expressionist painter on May 10, 1933, the day that his books were ritually burnt as part of the Nazi purge of decadent literature

Soup-r-eyes

2009-03-02T22:38:00.002-05:00

This panarama is what greeted me in my office late Sunday afternoon (click for a larger picture). 600 balloons (there are some on the ceiling as well), all inflated by the senior high youth group for a surprise that was kept by the senior highs, their parents, my wife, and Tim Gordon (planned weeks ahead and prepared for after church--boy, sometimes I'm clueless). Then games they planned and food with a cake celebrating my 65[!] years--said Jen "based on your resume." With a forest of pink plastic flamingos around the border of the cake. It was one of the sweetest and most rewarding surprises of my life. Still can't get over it. My heart is full . . . .

2009-02-12T15:42:00.002-05:00

As the Church throughout New England faces a variety of trials, including the trials of a difficult economy: a few more quotes from Hudson Taylor:

If this is a real work for God, it is a real conflict with Satan

It needs the presence of special difficulties to manifest to all the workings of God's mighty power, and for such difficulties we may and should be grateful, and not cast down.

You do not need a great faith, but faith in a great God.

I am in great straits for funds. I am happy about it. The Lord may take away all our troublesome people through it and give us true-hearted ones instead.

I have found that there are three stages in every great work of God: first, it is impossible, then it is difficult, then it is done.

I . . . know how much easier it is to lean on an arm of flesh than on the Lord; but I have learned too how much less safe it is.

After proving God's faithfulness for may years, I can testify that times of want have ever been times of spiritual blessing, or have led to them.

China is not to be won for Christ by quiet ease-loving men and women.

(The above are from the extant writings of Hudson Taylor.)

2009-01-19T19:03:00.002-05:00

A couple of years ago a dear friend gave me the Banner of Truth "Letters of John Newton." I find myself, in reading them, being "pastored" by someone who's been dead for two hundred years. For all of Newton's wonderful hymns and sermons, his letters were also an important part of his work. Here's a deeply thoughtful section on remaining sin in the believer, written after two letters on the subject of the depravity of the heart. See how well Newton knows his own heart, and therefore the hearts of those to whom he ministers. The letter is entitled "Advantages of Remaining Sin." [!]

If the evils we feel [of remaining sin in us] were not capable of being over-ruled for good, He would not permit them to remain in us. This we may infer from His hatred to sin and the love he bears to His people.
As to the remedy, neither our state nor His honour are affected by the workings of indwelling sin, in the hearts of those whom He has taught to wrestle, strive, and mourn, on account of what they feel. Though sin wars, it shall not reign; and though it breaks our peace, it cannot separate from His love. Nor is it inconsistent with His holiness and perfection, to manifest His favour to such poor defiled creatures, or to admit them to communion with Himself; for they are not considered as in themselves, but as one with Jesus, to Whom they have fled for refuge, and by Whom they live a life of faith. They are accepted in the Beloved, they have an Advocate with the Father, Who once made an atonement for their sins, and ever lives to make intercession for their persons. Though they cannot fulfil the law, He has fulfilled it for them; though the obedience of the members is defiled and imperfect, the obedience of the Head is spotless and complete; and though there is much evil in them, there is something good, the fruit of His own gracious Spirit.

None of this is by way excusing the individual believer for the hardness of his own heart toward others, the living "at this poor dying rate," in view of all that is ours in Jesus. But this is a reminder that, as we are saved by grace, so do we live by grace, always aware of our mixed motives, but also delighting that even our impure motives are over-ruled by Him for His glory and that all of our standing comes by what Jesus has lived for us. This is good news and this is freedom. Somewhere about middle age [or earlier if the Spirit chooses] you start to realize that your every good action is mixed with wrong motives and you fight and not always with the best of success. And you also more deeply feel not only the seriousness and pervasiveness of sin, but the sweetness of what it is to be one with Christ and to receive the benefits He deserved but freely gave to us when He took on the full weight of our every sin past, future, and present. This is the comfort [if we haven't distracted our selves or medicated ourselves] that is ours in the Biblical doctrine of justification, being made right with God. No dry doctrine, that. And few can preach it, even in a letter, like Newton could.

2009-01-13T22:02:00.002-05:00

Can it really be that I have not written since November? Someone reminded me yesterday of the words of Hudson Taylor (1832-1905), for 51 years missionary to China. He brought over 800 missionaries to China and it is believed that 18,000 were converted through this work. I don't go along with all that Taylor believed, but his words often encapsulate what is so true about a walk with Christ.

Consider these words from 1875:
All God's giants have been weak men, who did great things for God because they reckoned on His being with them.

or these:
God's work done in God's way will never lack God's supplies.

Ah! A Rough Cut from Romans

2008-11-15T11:23:00.005-05:00

Karen Green sent and permitted me to post this unworked-one (6 MB mp3) sound file from the Romans performance.

With eyes wide open to God's mercies,
I tell you brothers and sisters,
offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to Him.
Don't let the world around you squeeze you,
try to please you, gently appease you or let it deceive you.
Don't let the world around you break you,
overtake you,remake you into its mold.
Don't let the world around you grind you,
try to bind you, or let it design you.
Don't let the world around you rule you,
gently cool you, or fool you into its mold.
But be transformed by the renewing of your mind
so you can see and approve God's perfect will,
His pleasing, perfect will.

With eyes wide open, I beg you . . .

with%20eyes%20wide%20open.mp3

Evangelism Resources

2008-11-15T08:55:00.010-05:00

Here are the links I alluded to in Sunday School Class today. If I were really a good blogger (see below for QED), I would be able to do this in a much less junky way, for now you'll just have to click on what may look like gibberish to many of you (well, me too) following each description.

Two Ways to Live
(the presentation, pamphlets, and how to order additional resources). http://www.matthiasmedia.com.au/2wtl/

Based on a True Story

James Chuong's site (which is interesting reading no matter what you go there to find). Here you can find interesting and challenging perspectives from a GenX who has an MIT degree in Management Science, an MDiv from Gordon-Conwell, and a DMin from Fuller in Postmodern Leadership Development. After serving as a pastor at Cambridge Community Fellowship Church, he eventually became IVP director for the Greater San Diego area and developed this gospel presentation. http://www.jameschoung.net

Both The Big Story and the sequel The Big Story Two can be found on the right side of this page, but here are the addresses for the YouTube videos: The Big Story

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kCVcSiUUMhY&feature=related

The Big Story 2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4V60n6KiB8&eurl=http://www.jameschoung.net/page/2/

The Best Story

Jim Wallace is both a Detective (currently working cold case homicides) and a Church Planter. His background was originally in design (BFA from California State University at Long Beach and a Master's in Architecture from UCLA), but he has been a police officer and detective for the past 20 years. He is also seminary trained (Master's Degree from Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary).

Some great resources, including training materials and a Powerpoint presentation are found here:
http://www.pleaseconvinceme.com/index/mn37345/The_Promise_of_Christianity

You may watch the presentation here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Do9tg3zEJJs&feature=related

Another Youtube Resource

Interesting Demonstration of the materialists' bias in explaining the world:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4vi-FsaEb3Q&feature=related

Critical Books for Evangelism

Both of these books were written with believers and nonbelievers in mind, and Tim Keller is writing for the kinds of nonbelievers we tend to find in our part of Massachusetts: bright, intellectual, self-sufficient, and influenced by postmodernity in all its iterations.

The Reason for God

A book on the most frequently voiced doubts of skeptics written for believers and skeptics, filled with allusions to literature and culture and even anthropology.

The book is in two parts, the first responding to doubts and the second, reasons why Christianity is more reliable than other worldviews. You'll hear echos of C.S. Lewis, Jonathan Edwards, and Gordon-Conwell professor Richard Lovelace in these pages, as well as words that speak clearly and winsomely to a Manhattan-like culture

The Leap of Doubt

1. There can't be just one true religion
2. A good God could not allow suffering
3. Christianity is a straitjacket
4. The church is responsible for so much injustice
5. A loving God would not send people to hell
6. Science has disproved Christianity
7. You can't take the Bible literally

The Reasons for Faith

1. The clues of God
2. The knowledge of God
3. The problem of sin
4. Religion and the gospel

5. The (true) story of the cross
6. The reality of the resurrection
7. The Dance of God

The Prodigal God: Recovering the Heart of the Christian Faith

Here is where is best answered in an approachable form for believers and non-believers alike the startling news of what the gospel really is. I attended a DMin class taught by Dr. Keller and co-taught with Dr. Clowney, one of his mentors who so influenced him in his thinking through the meaning of this parable. The book is challenging to conservative (elder brother) and liberal (younger brother) alike or to anyone who has lived a mixture of either. This is the best one-book-not-too-long-either summary of the gospel and ought to flavor every other presentation.

Romans Oratorio Two Weekends Ago

2008-11-11T22:29:00.004-05:00

In the breathless work of the last several weeks, this was my first opportunity to publish a composite photo of most of the choir after the performance of Karen Green's Romans Oratorio in Ipswich last Sunday night. Some the instrumentalists are departing, but you get the idea. Magnificent, intense, and spirited singing on the part of this choir and soloists from so many different churches throughout New England and beyond. If anyone has shots of the performance, please send them my way . . . . (double click on the picture for a slightly larger view).

If Music Be the Food of Love . . .

2008-11-11T20:58:00.007-05:00

Ah. After all the anxiety of the election was the most wonderful breath of fresh air. The Gordon College Choir sang the beginning movement and Alleluia of the Bach Motet "Singet Dem Herrn." The volume of these young voices so well-trained and taught by Dr. C. Thomas Brooks was a balm like none other after this tumultuous week in American politics. Of the motet, he Bach Choir of Bethehem site says . . .

Scholar Steven Daw places the work in late 1727. Daw believes that Bach wrote Singet dem Herrn for a memorial service for the Queen of Poland. Awfully cheerful piece for such an occasion? Yes, but consider the circumstances of her life: she spent the last thirty years of her life in exile from the Polish court after she, unlike her husband, refused to renounce Lutheranism for Roman Catholicism. She was seen by many German Protestants–Bach included–as a Lutheran martyr. Bach’s use of a chorale tune (the actual source is unknown) may be the hint here, as well as his insistent repetition of the words "Wohl dem, der sich nur steif und fest auf dich und deine Huld verlässt" (Happy the man who firmly and steadfastly puts his trust in You and in Your grace). Is this a message for the congregation to follow the queen’s lead? . . . Whether the motet was written in celebration of the King’s recovery, the Queen’s steadfast belief in the Lord, or some other event unknown to modern audiences, Bach’s own unflappable faith is evident in that text, and in throughout the entire motet.

Yet another source recommends that this motet was performed in the town hall of Dresden to celebrate the signing of a peace treaty. Regardless of the back story, this was part of a wonderful evening of magnificent sound by this vibrant choir, well interpreted and performed and a reminder that there is a Prince of Peace Who rules over all princes and presidents and all voters and Who is at work in His gathered people to bring real and lasting change. Now that's not only the real change we need, but change we can believe in . . . . As the motet, quoting from Psalm 145, says " Let Zion's children rejoice in him who is their mighty king."

Some thoughts on the regnant follies

2008-10-27T14:08:00.006-04:00

In the midst of this election season, I’ve been challenged by a seminar Phil Johnson delivered at last year’s Shepherds Conference (at Grace Community Church where John MacArthur is the Senior Pastor). I believe Mr. Johnson offers an important corrective to many of us and so have added a link at the end of this post.

Will I be depressed or elated after election day? Depends on whether my eyes and heart are stayed on His kingdom or this world. I’m also concerned about the way I hear people on both sides of this discussion mischaracterize the views of the other by creating "straw men" that really do not represent the other candidate’s position and then readily demolish views that no one actually holds. Frankly, the way Christians have tried to work through politics as a way to accomplish biblical ends has led to mixed results practically. In terms of public opinion, the result has been disastrous. While I’m not always sure how polls succeed in capturing public opinion, unChristian reports that “a fifth of all Americans believe ‘the political efforts of conservative Christians’ are a major problem facing the country today. Half of the adult population describe the political involvement of Christians as a concern. More than 110 million adult Americans admit they maintain misgivings about the role of ‘conservative Christians’ in politics.”

I had threatened to blog on this issue, but believe Phil’s message is simply the best corrective I’ve found. You may download it here: http://www.thegracelifepulpit.com/audio/GL-2008-03-06-PJ.mp3.

Make no mistake, I've listened to much about what each candidate has said and considered their views across a wide spectrum of their positions, and have made up my mind and will, as always, vote. Nevertheless, what Daniel says about the Lord is true:

He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding; he reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with him. Daniel 2:21-22 (ESV)

2008-10-16T22:50:00.005-04:00

More from Owen on the Church and her Lord:

When He should come to take possession of this house, he finds that it is mortgaged, and that a great debt lies upon it; which he must pay to the utmost farthing, if he ever intend to have it . . . . Jesus Christ being the heir, the right of redemption belonged to him. It was not for his honor that it should lie unredeemed. Full well he knew that if he did not, the whole creation was too beggarly to make this purchase. . . . He likes the house, and will have it to dwell in, whatever it cost Him. "Here," says He, "shall be my habitation, and my dwelling for ever." (Psalm 132)

2008-10-15T09:11:00.011-04:00

A short detour from Owensiana to my favorite devotional book and the words of John Newton, that most happy and healthy of preachers. This reminder of the importance of suffering for the believer, from a 1791 letter to John Ryland, Jr:

There is no school like the school of the cross. There men are made wise unto salvation, wise to win souls. In a crucified Savior are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. And the tongue of the truly learned, that can speak a word in season to them that are weary, is not acquired like Greek and Latin by reading great books--but by self-knowledge and soul exercises. To learn navigation by the fireside will never make a man an expert mariner. He must do his business in great waters. And practice will bring him into many situations in which general theory could give him no conception.

This is the testimony of those believers before us who were faithful to the end. Thomas Brooks, in his (1659) The Mute Christian under the Smarting Rod, a (short) book length meditation on Psalm 39, writes of the work of temptation and suffering, those very things we might most avoid and pray to be rid of, in making us more like Jesus:

Temptations are the tools by which the Father of spirits does more and more carve, form, and fashion his precious saints into the similitude and likeness of his dearest Son. . . . "My grace shall be sufficient for you (2 Corinthians 12:9)." Paul never experienced so deeply what almighty power was, what the everlasting arms of mercy were, and what infinite grace and goodness was, as when he was under the buffetings of Satan.

Brooks enjoins us to look on our sufferings with "Scripture spectacles," to see them as, for example, Paul did. Then he calls us to remember what we may forget under a long season of struggle:

When Hagar's bottle of water was spent, she sat down and began to weep, as if she had been utterly undone, Genesis 21:17-19; her provision and her patience, her bottle and her hope were both out together; but her affliction was not so great as she imagined, for there was a well of water near, though for a time she saw it not. So many Christians, they eye the empty bottle, the cross, the burden that is present upon them, and then they fall to weeping, whining, complaining, repining, and murmuring, as if they were utterly undone; and yet a well of water, a well of comfort, a well of refreshment, a well of deliverance is near, and their case is no way so sad, nor so bad as they imagine it to be.

These are not shallow words, nor Disney-esque, but part of the solid joys that are built on the dependable promises of God's Word, seen with His eyes; the way things really are.

2008-10-13T21:17:00.004-04:00

I have been thinking a lot of the Church of Jesus Christ lately and, while I've not written in a bit, I'll likely be using for the next spell of blogs quotes from Dr. Owen on the church. One of my early experiences in the reading of Dr. Owen's Latinate and serpentine English was, once I'd become accustomed to his style, to be given a larger vision of the glory of God. During my seminary years, one of my professors recommending taking on one theologian as your specialty and Dr. Owen has never failed, for all of his prolixity (I probably picked that word up from him), to expand my views of the world as explained and described by God's Word. These quotes are among those from Chapter 16 of Rick Daniels' The Christology of John Owen (yet another pastor whose writings have ministered to me). What follows is a paraphrased (due to archaic words) selection from the works of Owen; volume 8, page 230, as selected by Rick.

Men looking upon the church do find that it is a fair edifice indeed, but cannot imagine how it should stand. A few supporters it seems to have in the world, like crouching clowns under the windows, that make some show of under-propping it: -- here you have a government official, there an army, or so [remember that he speaks as the chaplain to the Protector Oliver Cromwell, whose army were largely Independents, and which army for a short time gave the Independents considerable power in government]. The men of the world think: "Can we but remove these props, the whole would topple to the ground." Yes, so foolish have I been myself, and so void of understanding before the Lord, as to take a view of some props that appeared to be of good quality for holding up this building, and to think, How shall the house be preserved if these should be removed? . . . . when, lo! suddenly some have been manifested to be only posts of ornamental plaster, and the very best to be held up by the house, and not to hold it up. On this account the men of the world think it no great matter to demolish the spiritual church of Christ to the ground:--they encourage one another to the work, never thinking of the foundation that lies hidden, against which they dash themselves all to pieces. I say, then, Christ, as the foundation of this house, is hidden to the men of the world,--they see it not, they believe it not. There is nothing more remote from their apprehension than that Christ should be at the bottom of them and their ways, whom they so much despise.

We've all known or known of pastors who have fallen or friends who seemed such solid believers who have walked away from the Lord. We've had also had those dear gifts of the Lord, in pastors, leaders, and godly men and women, who had represented to us what our churches have been all about and who are now with the Lord. And we have a world around us in which new and articulate adversaries speak out with freedom against the Church. Some even speak of the coming election as if the next president could bring apocalyptic changes that might destroy the American church. Only twelve years after the sermon from which this passage was preached, it seemed the Church of Christ in England would disappear when Charles was restored and the many believing pastors were ejected from their pulpits and distanced from their beloved congregations. Yet the gospel of Jesus Christ and His Church, against all who would prophesy otherwise, still stands. Our own local church faces a time of much change after so many evidences of God's faithfulness. And it is hard to imagine how things will be in five years from now, hard to imagine even what next year might look like. However, our Lord has said that the gates of hell would not prevail against His Church. And when he spoke those words, only moments later he would have to say to the leader of the disciples, "Get thee behind me, Satan." He said those words before the one who ran finances for his closest band of 12 would betray him to the authorities, before the spokeman Peter would betray him, before the whole group would sit desultorily after the crucifixion, before the road to Emmaus walk when his disciples had assumed all was lost ("we had hoped"), and before the crew had gone back to their old occupation of fishing. And yet these poor building materials were the very ones he used to create the most world changing organization of the first century, indeed any century. We are all of us less "pillars" that hold up the building and more "ornamental plaster" that is held up by the building. He is the invisible foundation that holds up the building; and on that foundation alone is our church, and is my life, secure. And there, regardless of what future circumstances seem to threaten, is hope, real, substantial hope.

Fading is the worlding's pleasure all his boasted pomp and show; solid joys and lasting treasure none but Zion's children know.

2008-09-01T14:46:00.019-04:00

So short on the heels of the Democratic convention, a friend just sent me this from the Wall Street Journal, a significant article from Robert Kagan, a conservative commentator http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122005366593885103.ht ml I don't know if Dr. Kagan is a believer or not, but he has articulately expressed the difference between those who would today call themselves "realists," the loyal opposition to "neocons," in foreign policy issues as wide and varied as "Iraq, Iran and the Middle East to China and North Korea." As I read his article, I couldn't help thinking, "this is a question of anthropology," something, I would add, that the Bible speaks a good deal about.

I do not intend to endorse the neocon view uncritically here, certainly, but Kagan speaks in the tradition of an older view, that of Russell Kirk, and before him Sir Edmund Burke, in ways that seem ancient history and perhaps even unrecognizeable in conservative political circles today.

Dr. Kagan points out what ought be no surprise to anyone well-read in history: modern liberals share little in foreign policy with those they quote from past years. Dean Acheson of Truman's administration would have nothing to do with the UN and the opinion of the rogue nations of the world: "As his biographer, Robert L. Beisner, has shown, he considered such efforts evidence of the naive hopefulness of 'people who could not face the truth about human nature' and 'preferred to preserve their illusions intact,' writes Dr. Kagan.

That's just what we who have been broken by the fall do. We don't want to face the truth about what God says we are really like, we prefer to keep our illusions intact, and so we project a world that is little impacted by sin. We think that "enlightened" nations should naturally live in peace and harmony and certainly never invade Georgia. We hold hands and sing with everyone, "Let there be peace on earth . . . ."Not that these old liberals would have any more positive view of America than does today's reiteration, but today's liberals are quoting people who, if they were alive today, would disagree with them on the fundamentals.

The theory that talks with antagonistic nations are the way to start is born out neither by history nor the Bible. All the well-known "successful" talks came, not as an incentive to change, but because those at the table had self-interested motives that led them to the table. As Joshua Muravchik has reiterated in his September article in commentary magazine, the dramatic 1972 Richard Nixon trip to China was not a catalyst to change, but the consequence of change as China sought ways to counter a stronger and antagonistic Soviet Union and to increase it's own oil independence. Consider modern (and forgotten) examples of diplomacy when self-interest was not engaged: Johnson with Alexei Kosygin in 1967 (Czechoslovakia's "Prague Spring" is crushed by Soviets the next year), Nixon with Brezhnev in 1972 (SALT I--a year later the Soviets were found to have armed Egypt and Syria for their surprise attack on Israel), Carter and Brezhnev in 1979 (the new SALT agreement--a few months later, the Soviets invaded Afghanistan).

Every counter-biblical ideology has found its center in its understanding of what man is (basically good) and what salvation is (enlightened thinking or hard work or what others think). Those who founded this country, in the main, agreed that, because people (and we might add here, nations) are self-interested and self-motivated, there need to be constraints and checks that prevent them from having too much control over others.

And, frankly, I can't be sure (I don't know) if President Saakashvili, for all his New York savoir-faire, is any better as the leader of a country. He, too, is a sinner. Those who look for oversimplified solutions for foreign policy end up finding simple identifications of enemies to demonize, and share common ground with those who would identify evil as the property of "that person over there." Those who look, in the phrase of former President Bush, for a "new world order," will always be disappointed when they find it ends up looking remarkably like the old world order. What ought we have learned from our twentieth century experience?

Dr. Kagan: After all, had mankind truly progressed so far? The most destructive century in all the millennia of human history was only just concluding. Our modern, supposedly enlightened era produced the greatest of horrors -- the massive aggressions, the "total wars," the famines and the genocides -- and the perpetrators of these horrors were among the world's most advanced and enlightened nations. Recognition of this terrible reality -- that modernity had produced not greater good but only worse forms of evil -- was a staple of philosophical discussion in the 20th century. It was the great problem that Mr. Niebuhr wrestled with and which led him to conclude that for moral men to do good, they would sometimes have to play by the same rules as immoral men -- and yes, he believed he could tell the difference. What reason was there to imagine that after 1989 humankind was suddenly on the cusp of a brand-new order?

There still remains one answer for those who trust what the Bible says about anthropology. We are broken. Marvelous and broken. And in need of restoration. And no party, no government, no leader but Jesus Christ can fix what is so tragically broken about us. We are just that broken. Always worse than we think. Hard work can't fix us. What someone else thinks about us can't fix us. Only a strong Jesus, whose followers were not Young Republicans (think of the apostle Paul in Rome) or shouters of slogans like "Change we can believe in" or "Country first" (both of which slogans scare me more than a little bit). But day by day, the strong Jesus is winning people to Himself as the Unconquerable Sun and Lord and Savior (all titles once used by world leaders in the past who now, unlike Jesus, have no power at all--it had always been borrowed from Him).

Christians are given no other way to change society than to be ambassadors of this Jesus, lower-level functionaries whose value depends on faithfully delivering the words of their Monarch, and not their own. Broken, weak, humble things through which His light shines, not because they are obnoxious and obstreperous and self-consumed, but because they look like Him and, because they trust the strength of their Savior to preserve them, live with a gentle fearlessness that I have not yet seen, nor expect to, in our nation's politics, and for that matter, often find wanting in myself. Who shall save me from this body of sin? But thanks be to God Who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Quotes from Last Week's Message

2008-08-21T11:58:00.006-04:00

It has been quite a busy week, so I'll content myself with several quotes I used in last week's sermon. I really cannot recommend Ed Welch's book enough:

Worry reveals our allegiances. Fear and worry are not mere emotions; they are expressions of what we hold dear. They reveal the loyalties of our hearts. If we know Christ and have affirmed our allegiance to him, worry is a sign that we are trying to have it both ways. We certainly don't want to renounce our allegiance to Jesus, but we want to protect what we feel is our own. We are not so sure that the Lord can be trusted with some of these things, so we look for help elsewhere. And if there is no obvious alternate source of help, we worry.

from Running Scared by Ed Welch

If I can trust the word of a friend, why do I question the word of the God of the universe? Go figure. Sin is truly bizarre.

from Running Scared (page 111) by Ed Welch

We are so wrapped up in worry, our axieties go so deep, that a single command is not enough--a change could only take place if we were to see the world in a fundamentally new way.

Robert Tannehill

We Shouldn't Leave These Photos Out

2008-08-10T18:54:00.006-04:00

These photos were from Mrs. Greer's camera and were too good not to post. Here are Bill Hilly and Jed with their group of 3rd and 4th graders:

Here are Fruit E. Pie, Rusty, and Young Dick Monald with the K-2 group:

Annie and Auntie Opal are pretty dear in this shot. What a stitch these two were!

Here's the whole cast for Friday:

Here are three shots of the lilies brought in for the kids and counselors from Seawright Daylily and Hosta Farm on Bedford Road in Carlisle. Now is a great time to stop by and see the end of their peak flowering season. Say "hi" to Love and Bob Seawright for us. If you look closely, you can still see the early morning raindrops on the flowers.

All of the colorful scenary making was supervised by Peaches:

And there she is, doing a little plowing on the back forty:

Here she is AGAIN, this time serving the sherbet watermelon made by my wife. If you visit with us next week, you can try a piece of sherbet watermelon (we'll also have pieces of real watermelon, too), see slides of the events, and hear the kids who are able to come sing some of the songs we sang. Pastor Weibley will be preaching on Matthew 6, one of the parts of the Bible we studied, in a message about facing anxiety . . .

Here was one of the most wonderful finds from our church historian, Ginny M. The 1938 (and first ever) Vacation Bible School in Carlisle. The pastor was Burton Goddard (who we believe just died last year) for whom the library at Gordon Conwell was named. He taught the 7th and 8th graders and premiered the use of a new teaching technique: THE FLANNELGRAM. The school lasted for 2 weeks, beginning on August 3.

Here are all who were here Friday on another set of steps, 70 years later, together doing the same thing, learning together about the Bible and praying for fruit.

This is likely my last Vacation Bible School/Backyard Bible Club post. Shortly I hope to have a balanced review of the book The Shack that seems to be sweeping the Christian world. And sometime, that topic, I'd been thinking to avoid: how Christians should be involved in an election season (in which I'll be giving links to some things that I've found helpful).

Hope International Tomorrow Club

2008-08-10T06:23:00.005-04:00

Any who attended our Backyard Bible Club know that the children and parents pay nothing; we want anyone to come who would like; but, we have collected the last several years to provide a "Tomorrow Club," a Backyard Bible Club for kids in the Ukraine who could never afford to come to one like ours. $500 pays for (about) 30 children in the Ukraine to come to a Tomorrow Club for a whole year. This collecting for a Tomorrow Club is great because we who give get nothing from this, the church gets nothing from this; the ones who benefit are those we will likely never see, who will hear about the Bible because we have given. This year, I knew our Backyard Bible Club was small, and was not surprised that, by Wednesday morning, we had only raised, out of the whole $500 for a club:

A usual, I didn't want the kids to be discouraged, so I said, we'll see how much we raise and, as we did for the first year, we'll just keep raising money after Backyard Bible Club until we have enough. Hope International is just such a superb and well tested program for the kids AND for the parents. One of the sons of our senior pastor, who used to play keyboard for our praise band years ago (and still plays a mean bongo) is the president, the man who used to play lead guitar in our praise band just moved down to become director of administration, and three members of our church (including the dad of the Backyard Bible Club guitarist, Ray Cyrus Billy) serve as Regional Board Members. We know that every penny we send will get there and will be used faithfully. So, I was glad to see a big jump for Thursday morning:

What happened Friday morning, I could never have imagined. Nor could Peaches (Mrs. Pichulo). I could barely wait to tell the kids, because I don't remember this ever happening:

How amazing. These parents, these counselors, these kids. Everyone was thrilled I was thinking that maybe we'd find a way to add in just a little more to make it $500 even. Then, as people were leaving another child brought up a bag of coins they had not yet turned it. Peaches took all the money to the financial secretary of the church who counted the money with her husband. Turns out that either someone added more when we didn't see or that Backyard Club Counselors aren't the best ones to do math (though we appear to be good at addition . . . ). The total figure:

$515.30!

Wow. What a great end to a great week. This just in: next week we're inviting all who came (and won't be attending church somewhere else) to join us for church at 9:30 and then be part of the Backyard Bible Club 2008 reception after with Backyard Bible Club Snacks, pictures, and a display of the crafts (kept up from this week). We hope to have some of the kids sing two of the songs from the club and Pastor Weibley will preach the sermon on facing anxiety, from Matthew 6, one of the sections of the Bible we studied last week. Y'all come, y'hear. Yaaaahoooo. Thanks again for all who put all this work in, for all who prepared ahead of time, for all who drew the designs on the banners and painted them, all who helped set up rooms, all who gave their all so wonderfully this week and went home SO tired, who taught and played hard, Mrs. Greer (who directed the skits, and was it great!) but especially for the amazing Mrs. P. who so efficiently, week after week, worked with so many to make this such a wonder filled week. The Lord called us to this work and met us there, exceeding our hopes. Please continue to pray for all who came and that the "fruit of the Spirit" we talked about every day might be the real harvest of lives built on the spirit of Jesus working in us.

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
Ephesians 3:20-21

A Pa'cel o' Pitchers

2008-08-09T23:21:00.004-04:00

Ah, Friday dawns, a day of much finishing. Behold the Martha Stewart idea pots with tape removed:

The dipped wax candles, also a 5th and 6th grade craft:

Last post had Shayna and Flo working on the greenhouses. Here they are, and some have already started to sprout.

Third and Fourth graders play a Bible memory game in the Coop.

Morning games for 3-6 included Water Balloon Eggtoss:

Look at this stupendous NEAR catch:

Then, there was the leaky bucket relay:

Tidal Wave has always been one of my favorites. You run up to the "well," fill up your bucket, run back to the next person in your line and yell "Tidal Wave," whereupon you throw your water in the face of the person next in line. First team done and sitting down wins:

But here is masterful strategy. Be sure to double click on this (or any other photo) to see more details. In frame one note the alert and ready stance. In frame two we see the perfectly placed Tidal wave in action. In frame three, see Gregg already on the rebound, and in frame four, already on his way to the well for his run. WELL PLAYED!

And then, the joy of total sponge annihilation:

Most kids were pretty pleased with their crafts AND with those of other groups (here is Josiah with the cowbell windchime while someone else is holding chicken noise maker).

See Jack wear the hat. Stylin', stylin' Jack:

The whole group with their homemade farmer hats.

Ketie and Tia matched up in the leaky bucket relay for their group.

Plenty of water to go around, Fruit E. Pie.

Here's how you play Wet Sponge. First "it" takes a wet sponge from the "well" and walks up to a person of their choice. They say, "Wet Sponge."

Then the person says, "take a plunge," whereafter the it says, "Who's the grunge." Here's where it gets fun. The person whispers the name of the person upon whom they'd like the "it" to drain their sponge. Shayna thinks something looks suspicious below:

Alexander may be enjoying his turn a little too much:

Peaches always manages to be in the middle of the fun:

And, there are those intimate counselor to counselor moments . . .

One last time to sing through the songs:

And now, for those who chose to memorize, not only the verses for everyone, but a challenge set, there was the Pie-ing (of the counselor of your choice). Good sport Lilly Bob is first:

Grace chooses TC:

And Young Dick Monald (say that out loud 3 or 4 times and you'll get it) chooses Eb.

A great sister/brother moment.

Ah, but this example of mother/sons fun was best. Fruit E. Pie, like Alexander above, does seem to be having quite a good time . . .

Many pictures but little time to write--Thursday

2008-08-08T22:37:00.005-04:00

It looked like such a bad day for poor (hysterical) Annie. She accidentally cut off her (hopefully) prize-winning pigtails, had TC step on her (hopefully) prize winning carrots, and had her (hopefully) prize-winning watermelon cut up by the hogs called by Uncle Zeke. A disaster in almost every way. But not for crafts today. Here is Flo and Shayna finishing up a mini green house (mung bean seeds in damp cotton encased in a zip-loc bag with a cool frame. What great arts and crafts counselors we had this time! Flo, Digger, and Grace made, taught, and finished up a storm!

And here is a group shot of the colorful and finished muppets.

The 5th and 6th finished the period Thursday (after applying the muppet eyes) with a flower pot design idea from Martha Stewart (yes, we are THAT classy!). Pictures of the final project look tomorrow.

And here is Fruit E. Pie with her group eating some of that gigantic, but ruined watermelon of Annie:

Many, many more pictures tomorrow, I promise . . . .

Wednesday, Must Be Aunt Opal's Banana-Cream Chili Pie in the Oven

2008-08-06T20:48:00.005-04:00

Quite a day at the farm, when TC and Annie find themselves getting anxious about the upcoming fair. Uncle Zeke and Aunt Opal teach them a lesson about today's fruit of the Spirit, peace.

For the Bible story, we looked at the words of Jesus about why we are anxious (from Matthew 6). Then we did what Jesus told us to do, to consider the lily. Bob and Love Seawright allowed me to go over and pick blossoms for each child to examine and take home. If you've not been to Seawright Gardens (on Route 225, close to the center of Carlisle) this is a great time to see the fields in bloom. And, don't miss the hosta gardens. Anyway, I had read somewhere that the sign for "peace" in American Sign Language means "to become settled," which fits well with some of the Bible use of that word. And the more we learn about God and learn how strong He is and how wise He is, the more we are able to trust Him, instead of putting our trust in things that don't last. And then to realize, in what some theologian somewhere referred to as "the wastefulness of creation", how God has lavished all this spectacular beauty on what only lasts a day. How much more has He done for us!

Here we are finishing up our muppets, turning them inside out, stuffing the arms. Although without eyes, yet, they're already starting to "come alive."

Notice Mitchell above dressed, as were all his group (Lilly Bob's idea, 'twas), as a scare crow.
And below, the younger kids work on the shade hats they are making:

Look at the fun the K-2 kids are having as Peaches leads them in group games:

Here, Mitchell and I valiantly (I stress "valiantly") are in the process of losing a game of Rock, Paper, Scissors. It wasn't even close.

Several of us played the almost impossible role of Smaug the dragon protecting his diamonds (encased, for convenience, in a tennis ball). Jake shows fine technique below:

Here they are, the 5th-6th graders dressed for the day as scarecrows.

At the end of the day, I lead some of the 5th and 6th graders in playing handbells as Ray Cyrus Billy plays guitar and the rest of the kids and staff sing "Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God."

And, oh yum, nothing like "dert" fer a snack . . .

Tuesday and It's Persimmon and Onion Jam

2008-08-05T19:04:00.004-04:00

It was a day of lost and found! Here, Aunt Opal, Annie, and Uncle Zeke comfort T.C., who has lost his chick, Henrietta.

But, Annie finds Henrietta and T.C. is joyful.

Of course, Uncle Zeke had found a 'tater that looked like one of the Seven Dwarves . . . Sleepy!

Yesterday, "Judge" told a story about the unexpected love of Jesus, using this magic trick about an unexpected red block:

Today, he drew two stories Jesus told about the joy someone has who looks for something that is lost and finds it.

Our 5th and 6th graders continued cutting out fleece for their muppet creations. Much work yet to do!

Note the young one busy with his own work as Jordan traces one of the arms of his muppet.

Here's Fruit E. Pie with her group playing a game of Blindman's Bluff, all part of Bible learning games. Notice the vegetable garden on the "ground." (If you click on any picture, the full-size picture will come up for your closer scrutiny.)

Here Peaches explains at Group Games just how "Wet Sponge" is played.

Look at the alert attention on the faces of these playing "Milk the Cow." (No cows were hurt in the process of this game, although they may not have been very amused.)

Here is the older group with me, much further into their game of "Wet Sponge."

Things got pretty wet, as you can see by Lilly Bob's response . . . . (Eb's joy is just a little bit over the top, don't you think?)

And here is the younger group in a corn-shucking relay. Many had never shucked an ear of corn before. So, moms, don't hold back next time you have corn on the cob, your kids have been trained by a professional--Peaches.

Before the day ended, we sang a raucous, bell-accompanied version of "Ahalelujah." Look at the concentration on those faces. The players were great.

And today's snack was fruit pops. Behold the pop clatch below:

Down on the Farm

2008-08-04T18:22:00.003-04:00

Yeeeeeeehah! Auntie Opal and her crew got us off to a good start this morning. T.C. is a little appalled at coming to the farm to be with a couple of rednecks (and proud of it--Annie and Uncle Zeke scare even me). I mean, really, NO TV? Sadly, we've no pictures of this history making drammer, so we'll have to wait 'til tomorrah for them.

Turns out we didn't get a whole lot a what you might call real good pitchers, but we'll post jest a couple. Here's the 5-6 graders beginning work on their muppet (thet's me, Judge, raht up front with Lilly Bob):

An' here's Fruit E. Pie with her accomplices playin' a game with balloons and the Bible verse, ah reckon:

An' tother game down in the stable:

Digger helpin' kids with tahdahin' down in Arts n' Crafts:

Chris T. shows that the snack (sheep cookies) war pretty tasty.

Last Night in Buffalo

2008-07-26T13:13:00.005-04:00

Following another superb teaching session on Colossians 3 by Mark Dever and a seminar by David Green on "Preaching to the Conscience," the afternoon business meeting included the voting in of the Conference positions for the next year, including a new president for the CCCC, Larry Wood, to replace Nick Granitsas (on the right in the new photo) of Revere, who has so faithfully and ably served the conference in this position. He and Pastor Greer are among the longest serving pastors in New England (to remain at the same church).

The Thursday evening service includes a message by the past President (Nick, this year) and is followed by the Lord's Supper at which the Conference Choir sings during the distribution of the bread and the cup. Sadly, the hotel placed a loud band with a dance in the next room, directly behind the podium, and separated from us by a folding wall. The music (pop songs from the 60's and 70's) was so loud that it was hard to hear the praise songs and even harder to hear Nick's message. And the choir, pictured below during rehearsal, was sitting against the wall. Not only did their sound overpower us, but the band controlled the lights in the room, so the lights would come on and off at their discretion (depending on the mood of the song they were performing). Barely able to hear the piano through the distraction the choir began (under my direction) to sing Robert Sterling's arrangement of Jesus Paid It All, beginning with the first verse words, "I hear the Savior say, 'Thy strength indeed is small. Child of weakness, find in me thine all in all.'" Suddenly, the "wall of sound" parted just as the women began to sing "For nothing good have I whereby Thy grace to claim." It was truly a wonderful moment. The band had stopped and softer background dance music played. Which made the music for the distribution of the cup, "I Want to Be Like Jesus," singularly wonderful (you'll remember that I wrote this for the Carlisle Choir on the recommendation of Jackie Miller back in 1989).

It certainly made for a memorable evening. Later, the Burnocks and the Weibleys went to the restaurant in Buffalo, where the first Buffalo wings were made. It was packed, but my they were good. Yes, the dark blob under the sign are Burni, Suzi, and Deb.

We all had the wings, and they were wondeful:

But more wonderful was our time spent with the Halls, and especially Burni and Suzi Burnock, but also with all those brothers and sisters who continue to serve the Lord across the United States and in mission fields, with all those involved in the church multiplication work, with those with whom I attended seminary and all those I've met at all those Annual Meetings in the past. I'm looking forward for the time to think through all the seminars and messages from the week, some encouraging, others challenging, all part of this important week. BUT NEXT, VBS!!!

Wednesday in Buffalo

2008-07-24T04:02:00.007-04:00

A full and fulfilling day at the conference. Which started with a fire alarm going off sometime before 7 and everyone trying to get out by the stairs, though it was a false alarm. The morning continued on a more positive if also more challenging note with another hour of Bible teaching from Mark Dever of Capitol Baptist, this study from Colossians 2. Here's that picture I promised:

I'm told that mp3's of the annual meeting main sessions will be up on the CCCC website, when they've been uploaded (http://www.ccccusa.com/audio.html). All of these messages by Dr. Dever bear careful listening; all touch at the center of what we are as the Church of Jesus Christ as well as reminding us of all that pulls us to add to or distract us from the Gospel.

After a morning seminar on worship, my second session was with one of my favorite seminary profs who is now at Grove City, Dr. David T. Gordon. Dr. Gordon has been studying and writing the last decade on the subject of media ecology, how media affects the human environment. Just as the medium affects what is communicated, so does the manner of communication impact how people think and their ability to think. As to the first, imagine a Native American sending smoke signals for a message. The medium (the smoke signals) limits what can be said and the depth of what can be said. More alarming was his discussion of the changings in the ability to concentrate and think in our post-typography era. Much of what he had to say carried over into the men's luncheon, where he also spoke. I hope to have an opportunity to talk about the profound importance many of these studies have to do with the communication of the Gospel in our community and homes. However, let me leave you with a nugget: Dr. Gordon requires of his students a "media fast," where they use no electronic devices for 24 hours. Expecting to hear of the in-depth conversations they were able to have with dorm mates and the like, instead most of what he heard in student write-ups was their saying how hard it was to go with out these props to everyday life that so distract and limit our ability to concentrate and focus. Much more to follow, but I think we get a better picture of how trained some of us have been by electronic devices, when we see how hard it feels to live without them and live with the "musico mundi," music of the earth, everyday sounds that people now miss because they are "plugged in" with their Ipods . . . .

Choir was much better attended today, with 5 or 6 more women and at least one or two more men, and the sound is quite good, and the feeling of our fellowship in Christ is sweet: there is also something about singing with people from so many different parts of the United States. (And, it's a national phenomenal: the basses thought their part was too high. Hm, where have I heard that before?) Two new singers were from an Episcopalian church in Rhode Island that has just joined the CCCC (and was received into fellowship today) after what seems to me a remarkable testimony about the right way to leave a denomination that has left the Bible.

We shared a wonderful dinner with Suzi and "Burni" Burnock and Jeannie and Bob Hall. One of the encouragements of these annual meetings is getting together with those who have labored long over the years in the same work, like these dear brothers and sisters.

The day ended with a message from Dr. Ron Hamilton, who spoke of this year's work in Church Multiplication and the new churches planted and in the process of being planted. These include a church planted that is a "grandchild" church of Forestdale Congregational in Malden where Paul McPheters serves, and will serve second generation Indians in Philadelphia. Another is thriving in LA, and another in Salem, Massachusetts; all represent some hopeful work in planting vibrant and diverse local churches. Dr. Hamilton:

Tuesday in Buffalo

2008-07-22T21:50:00.005-04:00

The morning started with a breakfast provided by Gordon-Conwell for us alums and hosted by one of my favorite profs, from whom I learned much, Ken Swetland. The "worship" was again led by people from the church Dayle Keefer serves as senior pastor (on the right below) and his brother Ric (who is an assistant pastor there). A church with many musicians who assist us in the singing.

Here's a picture of us all singing together . .
In the evening, Dr. Jon Kimball, director of CCCC redevelopment and care, spoke about practically and clearheadedly living out the scriptures:
His powerpoint showed one of the central issues of real Christianity, his message based on Matthew 15. The missionary might look at a native culture (that's the eye of the missionary at the top right of the diagram) and see problem behavior (say, many wives) and try to change that behavior, not remembering that the heart remains unchanged, though the behavior might change. The biblical model is to change the heart, the world view, which in turn changes, then the beliefs, then the values, and finally the behavior, creating the kind of change the Bible is talking about.
Jon summarized his message with these powerpoint slides showing the heart work that calls out for the Lord to rule our hearts in repentence and truth:
During our first sabbatical, Deb and I had heard Mark Dever speak at the church he serves, Capitol Baptist in Washington. It is truly unfair to excerpt, as I have, these following short excerpts from his thorough study of Colossians 1:24 and following verses, but these are short and important nuggets and practical reminders, all part of our Bible study Tuesday morning. I look forward with great eagerness for his speaking tomorrow morning (when I'll take a picture for the blog as well).

How do you see the invisible God?
How%20do%20you%20see%20the%20invisible%20God-Devers.mp3
And you thought the Apostle Paul was judgmental!
you%20think%20Paul%20is%20judgmental.mp3
Evidence that you are a believer.
how%20do%20you%20know%20that%20you%20are%20a%20believer.mp3
The significance of the hard work of preaching.
the%20importance%20of%20preaching.mp3
How to find spiritual power (and the ways people try and fail)
finding%20spiritual%20power.mp3

Simply extraordinary biblical work and heart searching. I commend you to them, and thank you for your continued prayer. The conference choir is smallish and could use some more people, especially sopranos and altos. AND, it looks like we will be singing, "I Want to Be Like Jesus." Tomorrow, we hope to have dinner with Bob and Jeannie Hall and Burni and Suzi Burnock . . .

His and yours,
Steve and Deb

Another Sort of Beauty

2008-07-21T21:55:00.008-04:00

Deb and I, after driving 8 hours and some, occasionally through violent thunderstorms, arrived in Buffalo (AT THE SAME TIME SENATOR MCCAIN IS VISITING BUFFALO). Out our hotel window, you can see the spectacular Art Deco City Hall.
In no time we saw many friends from the pastorate, some of whom you may know, depending upon how long you've known our church: Burni and Suzi Burnock (with whom we had dinner--let me tell you, that was a loud and unruly table), Bob and Jeannie Hall (from the Bronx Household of Faith), and Ed Whitman among many others. But, before the evening events, Deb and I took the opportunity to drive the half hour up to Niagara Falls, to ride the Maid of the Mist (Deb's first time) and to see the spectacular glory of these falls. Canadian flag picture included for the benefit of both Brian B. and Annette D. (We went up to Niagara-on-the-Lake: boy, do they know how to make beautiful gardens up there in Ontario's wine country!)The evening service began with a mention of our church, as Ed Whitman (whose parents, some of you will remember, attended Carlisle) told the assembly that he had served as one of the delegates from Carlisle Congregational Church in 1960 (the next year's meeting in '61 was held at Carlisle Congregational). It was a tender moment when the well-loved Anne Ortlund, whose husband Ray died around the time of last year's meeting, led in prayer. The band was great, and included a baritone sax, a tasteful and subtle drummer (is there any other kind?), two synthesizers, and a great pianist, accompanying the two brothers who led the singing.Steve Gammon, Conference Minister, closed the evening with a remarkable and full call to challenge the way we think about ourselves and our responsibility to each other and those who do not know Jesus. Weaving the scripture and his personal experiences, as well as the history of the CCCC, Steve laid out what to me was one of his clearest statements of his hopes for our association. Almost incidentally, I was struck, in thinking about Carlisle Congregational Church (herself richly part of the history of the CCCC) when Steve mentioned Acts 19:10. Paul stayed and taught in Ephesus, and Scripture records: This continued (Paul's reasoning daily in the hall of Tyrannus) for two years, so that all the residents of Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks. All in that region heard in two years. What might this kind of view and this kind of work mean for Carlisle and our local communities? How would we approach it? What would the same thing look like in our century and our culture? I know I will go to bed with this passage running through my mind and heart.Also in my mind and heart will be this banner behind the rostrum, picturing the cross of Jesus as both the foundation/beginning and capstone/finishing of every work we do. Tomorrow, I have the privilege of beginning to rehearse the concert choir, and I never know how many or of what voice will come, so I've brought some 6 anthems as possibilities. Any and all prayer is appreciated.
So, there you have it; in one day, the beauty of great architectural craftsmanship (City Hall), the glory of the work of the Great Architect (Niagara Falls), and the beauty of and glory of Us, His Church.

His and yours, Steve and Deb

Glory in the Passing Garden

2008-07-15T08:09:00.008-04:00

Though I've been thinking political thoughts lately, the Lord reminded me of something wonderful the other day in the yard of the parsonage. Several spectacular lilies, some from our friend Helen in England, have begun to bloom. You just can't beat daylilies for a plant; almost impossible to kill, they double or more every year (these were from Seawright Daylily Farm, where I had the privilege to serve for one summer about 20 years ago).

The thing is, of course, that these images can't give you the full experience of the beauty of these flowers. The nature of a photo is that it turns the three dimensional into something flat and removes all of the context around what is seen. Rather like the difference between listening to a CD and attending a performance. One step removed from a genuine experience. The colors are about right, the proportions are right and there is a glimpse of the beauty. Similarly, in our culture, we are more and more pressed to these mediated experiences. They are more convenient, easier, and they feel more safe (like internet relationships). But they are not the genuine experience. Some parents, it seems, only view their children through the lens of a video camera, instead of being fully present and soaking in the moment. Photographers and videographers are today allowed to the distract from the solemn and joyful covenant service that is a wedding. Aunt Alexandra somehow seems to think that her ability to capture what is happening during the service requires that she step into the aisle and "assist" the professionals by taking a flash photo of some part of the service.

Here is one of the spectacular blue-green hosta beside our front door. These, too, are wonderful, and ideal for all the shady spots we have. And look at this close up of the delicate columbine from an arrangement given by the Women's Bible Study to my wife:

All of this attempt to concretize, to capture, to try to snare what is passing away, all that is so temporary, can be a sentimental way of thinking of the past. Trying to remember a past once present, but passing away as soon as the shutter clicked, and which is only slightly captured by the photo we view. Israel's God, the eternal, never-changing God, could never be pictured in static forms like statuary or images. The commandment proscribed it. A concrete image could only hint at all that God is; it's inability to express Him in all His context could only result in an inadequate description of him, a "lying" image. Later, Jesus was that living, breathing photograph of the Father. Now, (aside from the certainty that no apostle thought it good to draw his picture except in words given by the Holy Spirit) no picture, no image, no crucifix, no ikon of Jesus captures all that He is in His manifold glory as the God bound eternally to humanity, ascended, His humanity united to His deity, unpictureable. Any pigment would be too poor to paint it. No hand can have the skill to craft it. Now, the wonder is that it is the disciples of Jesus who are together the image, the ikon, the photo of Jesus. No one of us enough to be a picture to our world of all the excellencies of Jesus, but husbands show how Jesus is to His wife, the Church, in the way they love their wives. Snap. Earthly fathers are an imperfect and incomplete picture of the perfect heavenly father. Snap. But he doesn't just call us to be these things. That's what we are. Every day in the way we are fathers, we say, "That's what the fatherhood of God looks like." Every day in the way we husbands love our wives, we say, "That's the way Jesus loves His wife the church." Well, there you have it, a wandering discourse prompted by a morning photo shoot in the garden at the Chelmsford parsonage . . .

A closeup of one of the columbine flowers!

A Non-Political Side Line

2008-07-01T10:13:00.008-04:00

(First, note that I have now blogged two days in a row. This may not at all be a healthy sign).

I do a lot of reading and my recent reading has taken me to some pre- and post-WWII history, particularly on the thinking of the Progressives as it culminated in FDR. Most interesting, in view of Senator Obama's recent redesign of the presidential seal (turning it into a blue eagle) was the work of the National Industrial Recovery Act under Hugh S. Johnson, who was a philosophical follower of Mussolini's Fascist theories in the 1930's and also Time Magazine's man of the year for 1933. Americans who didn't cooperate with the New Deal, said Mr. Johnson, would get "a sock in the nose." Johnson's goal was to change difficult economic times by waging a "war" on the Depression: "It is women in homes--and not soldiers in uniform--who will this time save our country . . . . They will go over the top to as great a victory as the Argonne. It is zero hour for housewives. Their battle cry is 'Buy now under the Blue Eagle!'" And the eagle looked a good deal like the German National Socialist eagle of the time. The 1933 Musical Footlight Parade, starred James Cagney and featured a chorus line (like those in North Korea, for example) who hold up flash cards that together made an American flag which were flipped to form a large portrait of FDR to the tune of different service songs (though the country was not at war). Following that (it's the Shanghai Lil sequence and can be found on YouTube) we look down on the crowd and see them form the NRA Blue Eagle (The film is worth watching for the brilliantly camp "By a Waterfall" with it's Busby Berkley human waterfall as well as a now embarrassing portrayal of an oriental by the brilliant Ruby Keeler--many stars--introducing Dorothy Lamour and Ann Sothern as uncredited chorus girls and Billy Barty, also uncredited, as a boy in a mouse costume. Warning for parents: alcohol use and some "blue" humor as this was produced before advent of the film code). The biggest parade in New York City was not the one for Charles Lindberg after he successfully crossed the Atlantic, but the Blue Eagle parade: 50,000 garment workers, 6,000 brewery hands, performers from Radio City Music Hall, 250,000 men and women marching for 10 hours past an audience of over a million (even larger than this picture of the parade for Olympic medalist Gertrude Ederle).
"A hundred thousand schoolkids," writes Jonah Goldberg in his Liberal Fascism, "were marched onto the Boston Common" to swear allegiance to an oath administered by the mayor: "I promise as a good American citizen to do my part for the N[ational] R[ecovery] A[dministration]. I will buy only where the Blue Eagle flies." All this patriotic sounding government intervention had a dark side, though. If you wouldn't charge 40 cents for a product for which you wanted to charge 35 cents, you were thrown in jail for three months, as the aim of the New Deal was to "create artificial scarcity to drive prices up." Crops were left to rot, 6 million pigs were slaughtered. The regulations of the NRA effectively (whether it was intentional is debated) aided the already racist labor unions in keeping blacks out. While head of the NRA, Johnson distributed a tract from one of Mussolini's favorite economists to the Secretary of Labor and begged her to give it to the rest of the cabinet.

All of this was a piece of history new to me. I was startled, therefore, when I saw the redesigned presidential seal for Senator Obama's rally (which has since been withdrawn, intended, it has been said, for only that one time use) with the eagle all in blue. Now, this is clearly not the NRA eagle, but the choice of color was interesting. And likely no one would make the connection, nor would I have, who did not have the historical background. In the national debate, the issue is the supposed presumption of the candidate, but I can't help wondering if someone on his staff was aware and wanting to make a connection to Roosevelt, but didn't check out their history carefully enough. Verbum sapienti satis est.

Finally finished the bulletin board for camp

2008-06-30T15:29:00.005-04:00

Alright, this is at least a little bit embarrassing. February since my last post! Oi. Well, I'd like to be more consistent, so let me start by posting this picture of the bulletin board at New England Camp Cherith. My wife Deb and I have been doing these for some years over ten, but I'm not sure how many that is. The camp theme is the sufficiency of Jesus, how He provides remarkably and amazingly and consistently and faithfully beyond our expectations. You can see the overflowing cup being filled from the cup of the work of Christ (all fabric). I again wrote the theme song for this summer:the melody is surrounded by two harmony parts which the counselors sang WONDERFULLY (okay, astoundingly well-AND by memory) last night the first Vespers of the season. I'll let you know and give you a link when the mp3 of the Staff singing and the music to the song itself is up on the camp site. Becky and Bob Riley as Director and Administrator are off to a great and important start after the fruitful time of Sue Miller's leadership. Very pleased (as a past board member and chairman of the board) with what I see continuing at Cherith and the advances that Keelah and Tai will bring with their gifts. New England Camp Cherith remains a remarkable place for girls to come and grow each summer; a rich and fertile environment with interconnected webs of relationship that continue to encourage after the summer camp season is over. Knowing that I've pretty Cro Magnon when it comes to blogging, this might be a recording of the camp song, first time melody with piano, second harmony with piano, then, because they made me (it's true) a capella. Or not: More%20Than%20Enough%202008%20Cherith%20Staff.mp3

2008-02-17T19:40:00.000-05:00

An historical document from the early history of our church. After spending two days at the Congregational Library on Beacon Street, I was able to transcribe and take pictures of one of the four extant sermons on file in their collection. I had heard that, at the end of his ministry, Paul Litchfield, a 1775 graduate of Harvard University (before it moved to Concord during the war), was a closet Unitarian. I think it likely that someone without a clear understanding of theological discussions of the day misunderstood what they read as the following sermon was delivered first in 1798 and then at Carlisle as in August 1821, close to the end of his ministry; there is no evidence in this sermon of any sort of Unitarian shift. Further, Litchfield is described as a Hopkinsian Calvinist, though there seems to be no evidence of this in these sermons (though they are a very small sample of his output--such views could appeared elsewhere or in letters).

This is the first page of the sermon.

Note how the pages have been sewn together.

Here is another, later sermon. Spelling and grammar throughout are flawless.

The following is not a critical text, though I have prepared such a text. It is an example of the typical sermon of the day, Reformed in outlook, with "improvements" or applications suggested at the end of the message. I've unabbreviated what Pastor Litchfield abbreviated for the sake of saving space ("Cht" for "Christ," for example). I've also tried to include his corrections which were apparently made at his first writing in 1798, when he had been pastor for 17 years.

Westford Agt. –98

Chelmsford April 10. 1808

Augt. 12. 1821

John 3.14, 15.

In the preceding part of this chapter we find an account that Nicodemus, a Pharisee, a ruler of the Jews came to Jesus by night through fear of being discovered by others, and acknowledged his conviction that Christ was a teacher sent from God: his conviction took place in view of the miracles which Christ wrought—“for no man can do these miracles, that thou dost, except God be with him.” At which interview Christ undertook to inform Nicodemus of the necessity of the new birth: or that a man must be born of the spirit and of water in order to enter into the kingdom of God. He gives him to understand that though the new birth be effected by the Spirit, yet that the operation itself of the Spirit is imperceptible—but that the spirit hath operated is known by the effect produced—

“the wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell when it cometh and whither it goeth: so is every man that is born of the spirit. After this he bringeth the son of man, or himself into view as being lifted up or that he must be lifted up, ~~in order to the~~ for the salvation of sinners, even as the serpent was lifted up in by Moses, in the wilderness for the healing of the Israelites who had been bitten by fiery serpents. Our Savior ~~by alluding to the serpent which Moses lifted up, does~~, by the allusion, ~~bring into view~~ the awful situation of sinners as being dead men and lost and at the same time the unspeakable importance of his own character as the Savior of rescued men. The says that he came to seek and to save that which is lost. – and in the text he virtually says the same thing. [when Litchfield’s replaced words are put in with what is crossed out above and written in between the lines, the text reads: Our Savior, by the allusion in the text, compares the awful situation of sinners, as being dead men and lost, to that of the Israelites bitten and himself to the brazen serpent which Moses lifted up. And gives us to understand that as those who looked unto the brazen serpent were healed, so sinners who believe in him shall not perish but have eternal life.]

To the ~~two~~ three general ideas which have just been mentioned it is proposed to attend—

I. To the awful situation of sinners, as suggested by our savior’s allusion in the text—Let us attend to the matter referred to by our Savior in the text—We have the account Num. 21 Ch. “And the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people; and they bit the people and much people of Israel died.” This calamity amongst the people of Israel took place while they were travailing in the wilderness—Moses reminds the people of the even Deut. 8:15 telling them that God led them through that great & terrible wilderness, wherein were fiery serpents, & scorpions—It is probably that the bite of these serpents conveyed poison to the whose mass of their blood [an?] infected their whole frame.—Satan the old serpent, who is called a great red dragon Rev 12. 3 was instrumental, by his temptation, of sin’s taking place amongst mankind—and sin this awful poison has diffused itself through the whole human race, and has spread through the whole mass of moral exercises in men—All flesh have corrupted their way before God—they are corrupt—there is none that doth good not not one.—The whole head is sick, & the whole heart faint. from the sole of the foot, even unto the head. There is no soundness in it; but wounds and bruises, and putrifying sores—if this is definitive of the corrupt moral state of man—Says our Savior form within out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, murder, adulteries fornications, thefts false witness—

the moral exercises of men are so universally corrupt the poison finds vent through all the members of the body—eyes full of adultery—ears uncircumcised—hands full of blood—Their throat is an open sepulcher—with their tongues they have used deceit—the poison of asps is under their lips—their mouth full of cursing & bitterness—their feet run to evil—destruction & misery are in their ways—In my flesh dwelleth no good thing, saith the Apostle men while unregenerated are dead in trespasses and sins, & unto every good work reprobates—alienated from & enemies to God by wicked works. Every imagination of the thoughts of their hearts is evil, only evil, and that continually.

The bite of those serpents was destructive & deadly to the Israelites—and so sinners deadly & destructive to men. There is something tormenting in the very nature of a sinful temper in many of its operations—in a refractory, stubborn, murmuring, & envious temper—a spirit of opposition to God never suffers the person possessed of it to enjoy any rest or quiet of mind except it be by deceiving him either about hiss own situation or about the true character of God, or by an awful degree of stupidity—Sin the awful poison which pervades the human heart, under certain circumstances, occasions keen [?] and piercing distress in this world—Ask awakened and convinced sinners what keen remorse—what piercing anguish—what deep distress—what fear and terror in the fruit and wages of sin—The terrors of the Lord made the Psalmist distracted—Ask them whether any or all the allurements, pleasures, amusements delights & the sweets of sin are sufficient to counterbalance the pain, the anguish, the remorse the terror & distress [began to write “remors” and crossed it out] which they feel? Ask them if gall & bitterness be not the consequence of all their sinful sweets and amusement—ask them whether a reflection upon their sinful enjoyments does not now pierce them through with many sorrows—Ask them what is the consequence of disregarding God, his word, his Sabbaths, his Law, his son & his institutions—the consequences of despising and breaking all these things with contempt. Ask them what it is to see God frown—what it is to bear all the curses of the divine law thundering against them—what it is to hear inspiration declare, he that believeth not is condemned already & the wrath of God abideth on him, he that believeth not shall be damned—Prov. 23.31,32 It is said, “Look not upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his color in the cup, when it moveth itself aright. At the last it biteth like a serpent & stingeth like an adder.” Jus so is it with all the pleasures & sweets of sin. they at the last bit like a serpent & sting like an adder—And they sweeter the pleasures, the greater the delights which men have in sin, the more painful will be the bite, the more piercing & distressing will be the sting. This will take place in this world, if the conscience of the sinner awake & he realize the truth—But if not, still the day will come when they shall gnaw their tongue with anguish. They shall dwell in the blackness of darkness—where the worm dieth not & the fire is not quenched—where is weeping and wailing & gnashing of teeth — [blank side of a page here]

However painful, distressing & fatal was the bite of the fiery serpent unto the Israelites, yet a remedy was provided—and God, who sent the serpents was the Being, by whom the remedy was procured—and god hath provided a remedy for perishing sinners he hath found a ransom. He hath laid help on one who is mighty to save—even unto the uttermost all who look unto him—The malady of sinners is terrible & awful, but there [there repeated] is balm in Gilead—and there is a physician there even Jesus Christ—

This leads to the second thing proposed which is the comparison of Christ to the ~~brazen~~ serpent which Moses lifted up for the healing of the Israelites—This serpent was made of brass—brass is durable, & so is Christ—he endureth forever—is the same yesterday, to day, & forever. Brass is capable of shining brightness—So of Christ it is said, that his feet were like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace Rev. 1—

The brazen serpent which Moses lifted up was made in the shape of the fiery serpent by which the Israelites were bitten and yet had no poison, no sting—So Christ was made sin for men, & yet knew no sin—he was made in the likeness of sinful flesh--& yet not sinful, he was in fashion as a man, yet was holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners—

The serpent was a cursed creature—So Christ was made a curse for sinners

That which cured the Israelites was calculated to remind them of their plague. So in what Christ hath done & suffered is exhibited the evil of sin—he condemned sin in the flesh—he was wounded of for our transgressions—was bruised for our iniquities—the Lord laid on him the iniquities of us all—the chastisement of our peace was upon him, & with his stripes sinners are healed—

The serpent which Moses made was set up on a pole, --

so Christ was lifted up in the cross—John 12.32, 33. And I, if I be lifted up from all the earth will draw all men unto me. This he said, signifying what death he should die, He was lifted upon the cross for a spectacle & mark for all the concourse of people to behold, who were assembled at the time of his crucifixion—

The serpent was lifted up for all the thousands of Israel to behold—That they might all see it—So Christ is or finally will be lifted up by the preaching of the everlasting gospel. He said to the Apostles, God ye into all the world, & preach the gospel to every creature—Mat. has it—Go ye, therefore & teach all nations—and St John saw and angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth and to every nation, & kindred & tongue, & people. Rev. 14.6 Christ ~~in the gospel~~ crucified is exhibited an held forth to sinners in the gospel—The Apostle Paul travailed among the gentiles & preached Christ crucified—

Christ is in the gospel set up as an ensign to which sinners are invited to repair. Is. 11.10. “And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand as an ensign of the people: So it shall the gentiles seek, & his rest shall be glorious.”

3. As the Israelites who were bitten, were healed by looking unto the serpent which Moses set [?] up, so sinners who believe in Christ shall not perish, but have eternal life—

If any bitten Israelite were so insensible of his fatal situation or so despised the method as not to look unto the serpent—he justly died of his wound. But every one that looked to it did well—

so if any sinner so far slight their disease by sin, or the method of em[blurred] by Christ, as not to embra[blurred] Christ upon his own terms [“terms” is blurred as well but legible with difficulty and makes sense in the context] their blood will be upon them.

He hath said Is 45.22 Look unto me & be ye saved, all the ends of the earth. – This looking or believing implies a sense of the evil nature of sin abhorrence of it—desire of deliverance from it—A sense of being undone—Appropriation of the method of recovery from ruin The offer of salvation is universal whoever believeth shall be saved—

The salvation offered is complete—shall not perish, but have eternal life.

[the following in a lighter color of ink, added later?]

Im. [I suspect, as in Edwards, he meant by this “improvement,” how to get good use out of this sermon in your living it out, and that Pastor Litchfield fleshed out this sparse points in his application as was typical for the time.]

1/ Adapted to lead saints to reflect on the entire moral depravity of their natural state

2/—On the wretchedness of it.

3/The subject shows the marvelous grace of God in providing such a remedy—

4/--The groundlessness of the hope of being saved merely because a Savior is provided

[Seemingly in a different and crabbed hand:]

Preached by Rev Paul Litchfield of Carlisle, Mass.

2007-11-05T08:16:00.000-05:00

Pictures from Sunday posted moments before we head back Monday morning.

A camera man. We really were in three adjacent rooms, each with a screen. I don't know whose idea the Christmas lights were, but they were fun.

Carolyn Custis James (Women's Bible Study will know who I mean) spoke before the Sunday morning session. She mentioned her experience as the wife of Frank James whose brother was one of three hikers lost on Mt. Hood, and their experience (positive) with the national media (I heard Frank speak at a Sunday School during one of my courses down at Reformed Seminary in Orlando, where he now serves as the president.)

Last music by the Getty-led praise band singing a song we've sung at Carlisle.

Paul Tripp delivers the message during the Sunday service. Without notes, of course. How does he do that?

After the morning service was over, we took a drive over to Lancaster to visit my dad and sister and Deb's dad. The grass was so very green (the picture barely does it justice) in the fields here . . .

And seeing the rolls of hay in the fields . . .

. . . or the Amish horses and buggies (note the detritus on the road that makes this romantic image just a little less so).

And when we're in Philly, we try not to miss this unique, extraordinary, and oh-so-sixties pizza place (I had buffalo wings pizza . . .

. . . . and a hoagie (ok, it's a sub, but we're romanticizing a bit the local color so familiar to us--lots of meats on this thing, though).

2007-11-03T23:52:00.000-04:00

Wow. What a day. Two general sessions on the subject of dealing with fear given by Dr. Welch, who has recently come out with the book upon which this conference is based. Exodus 14:13-14 ¹³ And Moses said to the people, "Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. ¹⁴ The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent." The Lord brought them out of Egypt and placed them before the Red Sea and the whole complement of Pharaoh's army. He was letting them in on their fragility and his strength. They could have had a clean and easy way out. The Lord told them to go where they could only be rescued by a show of His power. He was showing them His ways. A servant you don't tell; you say and they do. But a friend, well, you show a friend how you work. It's the not the way we expect. But it is the astounding way He works. Exodus 16:4 ⁴ Then the Lord said to Moses, "Behold, I am about to rain bread from heaven for you, and the people shall go out and gather a day's portion every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in my law or not. He is the God who gives you the manna you need for today, and tomorrow's need tomorrow. It's as if He said, "Don't bother about tomorrow, you're not equipped for tomorrow; I've equipped you for today." We won't have grace for tomorrow until tomorrow. He says you will have manna, our fears say, "I don't think so, in the way I desire . . . ." But he knows how we work. It's as if He said [says Ed Welch] I'm going to give you a Greek test. Those of us who don't know Greek panic. But he says, first I'm going to teach it to you, so that when the test comes, you'll be ready to pass it with flying colors. God says, whatever that thing is that you are fearing in the future, I'm not giving you grace for that. I'm giving you grace for today. And tomorrow I will give you grace for tomorrow. Then, in the second session he spoke of God wanting to give us the better manna, the sort of thing I've heard someone else say along this line: you so wanted a horse and a buggy, and so afraid you're not going to get it; then you get a brand new Jaguar. Is it what you wanted? no. Are you unhappy when you receive it? no. Because what He gives is better and beyond our ability to see into what we really need. We just don't have the maturity to understand the gift. Dr. Welch has heard of a family that, when they buy a new car, allow the youngest to hit the new car body with a sledge hammer. They want that dent to remind them that this is not their hope. Then when there's that fender crunch in the parking lot or whatever, they remember the car's not what's important.

But, I suppose the biggest thing for me was the singing. We are 1800 strong, and it is always moving to sing with so many. This year, Keith and Kristyn Getty led. I don't remember a time recently when I was converted to a puddle. Unlike other years and other places, everyone sang. And so many songs we've already sung at our church, including the song from our most recent retreat (which they wrote), Speak, O Lord. And then, so I couldn't miss the kindness of the Lord, Keith Green's There Is a Redeemer. Keith Green I heard in concert before I was converted and this particular song has always been significant. It was as if the Lord gave me a view of the beginning of my Christian walk all the way to the present. A worship team from down here provided most of the band work. Here's Keith at the piano and Kristyn standing, looking at him.

She does most of the singing and he plays the piano most (a local guy provides additional vocals). And we sang, all together, O How Wonderful. Truly a time of worship when the crowd sang full voicedly and heartedly. We also sang "O what a morning" (Easter) and "In Christ Alone," all of these theirs. Here's what the whole platform looked like.

Then for lunch we went downstairs and, as there were no more seats around tables, sat down on the carpet close to a pillar, as did many. And there, coming from the beverage dispenser, were Linda Ware and her daughter Lauren Groves. What a treat to have lunch with them and talk. And where was my camera?

In the afternoon, Deb saw a favorite author whose name the women's daytime Bible study may remember: Carolyn Custis James. I heard Michael Emlet speak on Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder with some helpful suggestions and encouragment for coming alongside those struggling with OCD.

My last seminar was with David Powlison on Facing Death. Dave faced it himself a couple of years ago, and then again this past year when Lauren [Ware] Groves' father-in-law, the distinguished Old Testament Prof at Westminster died of brain cancer. Many were the testimonies to the way the Lord used Alan as he faced his own death. Challenging and thoughful material and helpful. You may remember that, though incidents of particular cancers are down, mortality rate is still 100% and doctors eventually lose all of their patients. Will we honestly and in the weakness that is ours face His strength and His wisdom and agree that he is stronger and wiser? Many practical thoughts about facing our own coming deaths and coming along side others . . . deep calling unto deep.

Here's a picture that proves we're really here taken by a kind staff person. This is a remarkable production here, with many staff. Both Deb and I look forward to a final session tomorrow and then the worship service with a message by Paul Tripp and music by the Getty's. I think this weekend was a remarkably important time in my own life and a time where the Lord of the Universe has been so kind as to personally and directly touch me. I suppose the messages might have been useful to the other 1799, but it seemed they were all aimed at my heart personally. But then, He's like that.

2007-11-02T21:29:00.000-04:00

Ah, I have indeed not written in a long time, but here we are, Deb and I together, the next day after the Imago Hymnsing, in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, at the Christian Counseling and Education Foundation Conference, this year on the subject of anxiety. Though I've not yet been at a session to hear them, Keith Getty and his wife are providing music for the Main Sessions (with Stuart Townend, Keith wrote the one praise song almost all English-speaking Christianity sings, "In Christ Alone.") and I had the opportunity to see them rehearse. Already today we have heard a message from David Powlison, Gripping Fear, a description of the struggle with the kind of fear that leads to panic attacks, a broad nameless fear, and how to come alongside. Then we heard Paul Tripp speak about the issues of midlife (actually, all of life) in a way that I'll likely not forget and which has already sent me to the prayer closet. In the picture below you see the evening panel discussion. The profs are the bright light in the center. LOTS and LOTS of people. And, um, lots of books . . . .

2007-09-05T00:00:00.000-04:00

Our vacation, wonderfully, has begun. I don’t want to paint a picture of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, where I was born, as some sort of Paradise (actually, Paradise is down Route 743 with Bird-in-Hand and Intercourse and the like).

Here's Deb, my wife, me, my dad and my sister Laurie in front of my dad's garden.

Since my youth (which was not exactly halcyon either), Lancaster has considerably less fields and farms, replaced by ubiquitous brand name stores, that make some new places feel familiar which aren’t. It seems there is a shooting everyday now in the city in whose schools I first taught 30 years ago this September. All the town is talking about a vandal who is throwing acid on cars, causing $400,000 damage so far and who remains unapprehended. Yet, there is much that is bright about Lancaster, beyond its genuinely friendly sales people and head covering clad Mennonite Maids. I’ve always enjoyed going to breakfast with my dad’s group of friends, people I remember from when he used to work at Alcoa (the plant long since closed down and replace by a Barnes and Nobles and a plethora of other trademark stores). Work friends for life, the group of them meeting almost every day somewhere for breakfast, waitresses who know them and their orders by name, and dish back the “hard time” these 80+ year old men give them.

And the restaurants with fresh made lemon meringue pie and shoo fly pie, where the principal sauce is the Lancaster County staple, gravy and more gravy. Thursday night, with Deb’s Dad at the Lititz Family Restaurant, I had something I’d not had in over 25 years, pigs stomach, or as my grandmother (“Ma”) who made it called it, “Hog Ma.” Some blend of sausage plus celery, onions, and potatoes all cooked in a, yes, it’s true, a pig’s stomach casing from the butcher. It’s remarkable how tastes and smells flood in memories from the past. My young man’s work of becoming independent is now past and I’ve had many opportunities to remember God’s kindness to me in giving me the parents he has, parents no more perfect than I was. Maybe better. Doing the best they had with the light they had. We ran across a box of papers in cleaning out the attic at my dad’s, papers that included a Shirley Temple coloring book from 1935 which had belonged to my mom (I'm glad to say that my Mom colored within the lines). Here also is the program from her 1942 Commencement, where she was valedictorian. We read a bit from a diary of hers. Fascinating to see that almost every night was spent at church with friends. Yes, Wrightsville, PA, on the side of the Susquehanna from Columbia, was never a large town, yet likely all small towns were like this, apart from the occasional dance. After some thinking and reading the box, we figured out the use of a metal “bracelet” that went over a child’s elbow, so it couldn’t be bent, but stopped the “nasty habit” of thumb sucking and which looked like some medieval torture device. Ah, our society’s techniques of child rearing. All of which, at the time, seemed sensible and caring, but in the light of time, show up as fads.

But back to the restaurants. At the Country Table in Mount Joy, we had a wonderful meal, but I was once again reminded of how different Lancaster County is. At this popular local place (come early if you don’t want to wait in line—it’s always been packed when we were there), the little carousel on the table that tells about specials (August was peach dessert month) also has the following story called "The Lord's Baseball Game."

THE LORD'S BASEBALL GAME

Freddy and the Lord stood by to observe a baseball game. The Lord's team was playing Satan's team.

The Lord's team was at bat, the score was tied zero to zero, and it was the bottom of the 9th inning with two outs. They continued to watch as a batter stepped up to the plate named 'Love.'

Love swung at the first pitch and hit a single, because "Love never fails."

The next batter was named Faith, who also got a single because Faithworks with Love.

The next batter up was named Godly Wisdom. Satan wound up and threw the first pitch.

Godly Wisdom looked it over and let it pass: Ball one. Three more pitches and Godly Wisdom walked because he never swings at what Satan throws.

The bases were now loaded. The Lord then turned to Freddy and told him He was now
going to bring in His star player. Up to the plate stepped Grace. Freddy said, "He sure doesn't look like much!"

Satan's whole team relaxed when they saw Grace.
Thinking he had won the game, Satan wound up and fired his first pitch. To the shock of everyone, Grace hit the ball harder than anyone had ever seen! But Satan was not worried; his center fielder let very few get by.

He went up for the ball, but it went right through his glove, hit him on the head and sent him crashing on the ground;
the roaring crowds went wild as the ball
continued over the fence . . . for a home run!

The Lord then asked Freddy if he knew why Love, Faith and Godly Wisdom could get on base but couldn't win the game. Freddy answered that he didn't know why.

The Lord explained, "If your love, faith and wisdom had won the game, you would think you had done it by yourself. Love, Faith and Wisdom will get you on base but only My Grace can get you Home:

'For by Grace are you saved, it is a gift of God; not of works, lest any man should boast." Ephestians 2:8-9

Now, regardless of what you think of the theology, what is remarkable is that this is found on a restaurant dessert menu and no one thinks anything of it. No one complains or sues. Or take this picture of a wall hanging for sale in the restaurant we Lancastrians always drove by or stopped at on the way to the Jersey shore, the Gap Diner:

I don’t know if it’s because we don’t go out to enough restaurants in Massachusetts; maybe this is what you find in restaurants at home. But then, I must be quick to point out that restaurants in Lancaster county have some other things those in Massachusetts don't. Yes, with your cholesterol free eggs you can have scrapple. Now, wikipedia defines scrapple as "a savory mush in which cornmeal and flour, often buckwheat flour, are simmered with pork scraps and trimmings, then formed into a loaf. Small scraps of meat left over from butchering, too small to be used or sold elsewhere, were made into scrapple to avoid waste." You don't want to think about that too long, but it's quite popular down here . . . His and yours, Steve and Deb on vacation in some places that most definitely are not Massachusetts.

2007-08-20T13:57:00.000-04:00

I'm posting the words of the prayer I used yesterday in the service from Valley of Vision, a book of prayers which I cannot recommend highly enough as a guide to prayer (several had asked after the service).

O LORD,

In prayer I launch far out into the eternal world, and on that broad ocean my soul triumphs over all evils on the shores of mortality.

Time, with its frivolous amusements and cruel disappointments, never appears so inconsiderate as then.

In prayer I see myself as nothing; I find my heart going after thee with intensity, and long with vehement thirst to live to thee.

Blessed be the strong gales of the Spirit that speed me on my way to the New Jerusalem.

In prayer all my worldly cares, fears, and anxieties disappear, and are of as little significance as a puff of wind.

In prayer my soul inwardly exults with lively thoughts at what thou are doing for thy church, and I long that thou shouldest get thyself a great name from sinners returning to Zion.

In prayer, I am lifted above the frowns and flatteries of life, and taste heavenly joys; entering into the eternal world, I can give myself to thee with all my heart, to be thine forever.

In prayer I can place all my concerns in thy hands, to be entirely at thy disposal, having no will or interest of my own.

In prayer I can intercede for my friends, ministers, sinners, the church, thy kingdom to come, with greatest freedom, ardent hopes,

as a son to his father,

as a lover to the beloved.

Help me to be all prayer and never to cease praying.

Above is a picture of a Vacation Bible Club held by our church in 1948 and directed by the Pastor's wife, Mrs. Charles Massey

I'm also including excerpts from an article from the August 17th Wall Street Journal about Children's summer programs like our Backyard Bible Club which someone handed to me yesterday. It is longish and I may not agree with everything I read here, but it's a reminder of how outsiders may be reached. (You may be able to read all of the original article here: http://www.opinionjournal.com/taste/?id=110010484)

Vacationing with Jesus

by Jennifer Graham

There comes a time in every mother’s life when she has to make a decision to save herself and her loved ones, even if it means taking a leap of faith. There comes a time for Vacation Bible School.

The large signs beckon from every suburban church. Free baby-sitting, they whisper. All week! It is a seductive pitch, directed at frazzled parents desperate to entertain their bored offspring as the summer drags on.

A refuge for frazzled parents,

an opportunity for churches

Vacation Bible School, or VBS, differs by denomination, but churches that offer it share a common goal: to expose children to the Gospel, and maybe, just maybe, recruit their families into the church. For Southern Baptists, the largest Protestant denomination in the U.S., VBS is the most effective tool of evangelism, the impetus for 26% of baptisms in 2006. Nearly three million children and adults attended VBS at Southern Baptist churches last year, resulting in 94,980 “decisions to receive Christ as Savior” and 280,693 “Sunday School prospects discovered,” according to Southern Baptist Convention statisticians “Vacation Bible School is today’s revival,” said Jerry Wooley, the VBS specialist for LifeWay, the SBC’s publishing agency.

Vacation Bible School was the brainchild of a Mrs. D.T. Miles, wife of a Methodist minister in Hopedale, Illinois. Mrs. Miles, it is said, was concerned that the children of her husband’s congregation weren’t learning enough on Sundays and needed a month-long course of study over the summer. The first session, in 1884, had 37 students. Like its modern-day counterparts, it included arts and crafts, singing, exercise, drama and Bible study . . .

Chapel Hill United Methodist Church, in Chapel Hill, Tenn., has 150 members, and for them, VBS was a budget-breaking expense. At $1,000, it “is one of our highest funded pro- grams,” said Jenny Youngman, the wife of the pastor. The investment paid off: Chapel Hill's program, held July 22 to 26, drew 55 children each evening and resulted in three new families attending church the next weekend.

VBS often begins or ends with a party—as simple as a family worship service with refreshments afterward, or as elaborate as a carnival with pony rides. During the course of the week, children may go on field trips, and they often take home T-shirts, CDs, hats, bracelets and videos. Usually all of this is free, while a week at other camps can cost $250 or more. . . .

Glynis Jaszewski, a Roman Catholic who lives in the suburbs of Richmond, Va., sent her two children to Vacation Bible Schools at Protestant churches without qualms. “When I was working, they would always go to two or three of them in the summer; it was day care,” Mrs. Jaszewski said. She believes their generic Christian message doesn’t vary much, even across denominational lines. . . .

Mrs. Youngman, the pastor’s wife, said churches welcome any child to VBS, whatever the parents’ intent. “If we can connect with just one family, it’s worth it,” she said.

Ms. Graham is a writer in the suburbs of Boston.

2007-08-17T10:30:00.000-04:00

This will seem quite a different blog, so I've left several days in between posts (sure, that's why I did it.) Last Wednesday was a day of culture for Deb and I. We ended the evening at the Hatch Shell in Boston beside the Charles River with a free concert by the Landmarks Orchestra with stars from the upcoming Boston Lyric Opera performances of Abduction from the Seraglio (early Mozart opera about which Schaeffer has the king of Prussia say "too many notes." It's all Turkish sounding music [remember that Muslims were surrounding and threatening Vienna much of those days--Muslim clothing fashions and music were all the rage]), The Elixir of Love by Donizetti (typical opera of the late Romantic error, frivolous, with some lovely singing) and Puccini's La Boheme, one of my favorites of all time--it snows on stage in the second act. It's the typical opera thing where the female is sick with what is likely consumption (that was the fashionable operatic disease to die of, as did Violetta in La Traviata) and the young man in the dark tries to help her find her key, and touches her cold hand and tells her his life story and falls in love with a woman who is dying of not being able to breathe and sings about it for two more hours.

Oh, but it is wonderful. It was one of the first opera recordings I owned, when I sent away to Columbia Music Club: you got this set free but you had to buy 10 more in a year. I played it and played it. Rudolpho (who falls in love with the expiring Mimi) was sung by the young Pavarotti. In the opera, unlike the movie version of Rent which is based loosely [maybe the word I'm looking for is rudely or inelegantly] on the same story, Mimi actually dies, but after some wonderful music. The singers were quite good, but the soprano was, to my ears, the most consistent and best. All three, uncharacteristically for opera singers, were very gracious and encouraging to each other and wonderfully in character (though not costume). Every night a free classical concert with an above average orchestra--hard to beat. Easily accessible by way of Alewife (down Route 2) by way of the Red Line (Charles/NGH stop). We arrived at 6:45 for the 7:00 concert with only our blanket and had not trouble finding a front row seat (we got back to Alewife by 9:39pm).

The earlier part of the day was spent at the Museum of Fine Art. NOTE: Wednesday nights, thanks to some bank or other, are free, at least this summer. Too good a treat to miss. many famous paintings like this of Monet. And a wonderful collection of ancient Egyptian artifacts. Hokusai's Tidal Wave is there but not yet on exhibit (at least, I couldn't find it--there is an upcoming exhibit on Japanese art that is in process).

And many wonderful surprises like this by the English painter John Martin of the seventh plague (hail). Note Moses with the rod and Aaron at the lower left. Martin used archeological sketches newly available in his day to create an accurate setting to show the power of this massive and advanced civilization, over whom Yahweh still rules.

It was also interesting to me to see biblical references in Latin in the musical instrument room which were untranslated by the exhibit, though it seemed every other non-English word in the museum was translated. "Let everything that has breath praise the Lord" on this clavichord.

"Praise Him with loud sounding cymbals" on this spinet harpsichord. (I'm guessing here; I'm no Latin scholar.)

We had to buy tickets to see the Edward Hopper Exhibit, which is soon gone. Hopper, like Stephen Sondheim, is very good at pointing out the idiosyncracies of our society but, also like Sondheim, not as good at suggesting answers. He spent two summers in Maine with his wife (of 44 years--she was also an artist and died nine months after he did in 1967) where he painted his famous lighthouses.

But more significant were his glimpses into city life. Living in Washington Square in New York City (only a couple of blocks from Cooper Union, where our son Josh attends), he would paint pictures of people that you'd likely glimpse as you'd pass by on an elevated train or see from a distance. People who don't know they've been seen. Kind of an exposed anonymity. You see it on the subway a lot, people reading, earphones in, isolated by the company of others. Each Hopper painting is tantalyzingly "the suggestion of enigmatic narratives," but you don't know what should happen next or what came before, the people are oddly the kind of memory you would take away from a glance in a lit window of a building, they are almost faceless, blank. Here, see a couple framed by the gray window of their city apartment. The husband is just home from work, having taken off his suit coat, and is already engrossed in the newspaper. His wife sits, as the exhibit says, "desultorily," plucking away at the piano. She is dressed in an evening gown. Has she been at home all day and is now dressed for going out, but her husband has come home and is in his own little world? We can't know, but we do know there is a story here, that draws us in.

Hopper shows us "the solitariness of individuals, even when in one another's company." In Nighthawks, see how distant each person looks, even the sugar, napkins, salt and pepper reinforce the isolation.

Or in New York Movie, see the movie screen and off to the side, the usherette lost in a reverie about her life (reflective of or inspired by what she sees in the movie?).

Or this etching, from above, to bring out the stark loneliness of the solitary man walking.

Artists have so poignantly, in modern times, shown the flaws, the idiosycracies, they've become mirrors that have allowed us to examine in us what we don't normally see, but when we see through the artist's eyes, we can say "Oh, I know that feeling. I've seen that, felt that, know that . . . " But a diagnosis is not enough. Nor are there simple disneyland/crystal cathedral answers that ignore the reality of a sin-broken world, as do the platitudinous answers most Christian books today offer ("Jesus is the super-economy sized best brand--buy Him®--He's better than all the other products."). The Bible is much wiser than either the useless and gnawing pessimism or unsettled groundlessness of our present modern times. It points to the seriousness of the Tower of Babel brokeness and the brutality of the cross necessary to bring real community. Real community doesn't so much grow out of spending time together doing happy things but, rather, really knowing who Jesus has shown Himself to be, serving Him together, suffering together for him, and serving each other as He did us. Those are the times that He works in us all that marvelous Day of Pentecost wildness that undoes the Babel curse, that we once again, if only intermittently until we are Home (but truly) share mystic sweet commmunion, beat out in the blast furnace of this world, as we see that the faith He has begun in us is pure gold and this time on earth is for the refining of that gold. Hopper has eloquently seen the problem, drawn the poison to the surface; Jesus has bought the medicine, applied the prescription that heals (not the bandage we prefer that hides and allows the untreated wound to poison the rest of who we are). A wonderfully thoughtful day in the real world.

2007-08-09T13:11:00.000-04:00

Having sent you all to Nick's photos, all that remains is for me to send you two last shots, the first being that of the ever patient, ever willing, Pastor Greer on the Friday penguin revealing to which I've alluded in earlier posts. I wish you could have seen the looks on the faces of the surprised kids who may have been expecting someone else.

But, I must tell you, when it came to Nick Ware's attire, I just had no idea. On the internet, I chanced upon the obviously untouched picture below of a mannequin dressed as Nick and looking remarkably like him, almost close enough to be his double, in the window of this very "in" store in England. I always knew he was a trend setter. But what you may not know is that Nick, with the assistance of Blair McKee, will be the new Senior High Youth Group Leader this fall.

This will be the last of my posts on Backyard Bible Club, and I think that I may spend some time sharing my thoughts on the ways that Christians can be involved as change agents in our society from several new books I've been thinking through, one of which is Dick Staub's The Culturally Savvy Christian. I don't always agree with his theology, but he has some superb points to make. And, I'll offer my summaries of more of Newton's letters.

Harry Walker, one of the missionaries with which we've been involved for years, will be preaching this Sunday on "What It Takes to be a Missionary," and Paul Crompton, Bryan Crompton, myself, Barbara Ortler (on harpsichord), and a dear friend of mine, Laura Finkelstein (on flute), will be playing the second movement from the Second Brandenburg Concerto by Bach. Laura will also play an Andante in C Major by Mozart and a Presto by Johann Joachim Quantz, a superb musician who played oboe and flute with equal talent, well known in his day, but generally only known by flautists today.

2007-08-09T00:41:00.000-04:00

Oh, dear Backyard Bible Club fans, Nick Ware has done us all a great service and has put up ALL his pictures from the club at a place where all can find them. Why, this is better than a blog. Go here to find them . . . http://waterworks.shutterfly.com

Nick confided to me that he never could come up with a name for Waterworks, though he says he considered Hose-B (to go with Paul Crompton's Hose-ay). In case you don't remember him, I've enclosed a picture of him recently in Southern California which shows the lengths to which he goes to get a good picture:

Once again, alas, I must apologize for the fuzziness of the picture but, after all, Nick wasn't doing the photography, so it's just a little out of focus. Way to hang five, Nick! Also, I will do my best to get a picture up that shows Nick in his Friday ensemble: truly, unmatched shirt and Hawaiian pants, well, it was sartorial splendiferousness. I couldn't even have hoped, on my pinkest day, to outshine his effulgence (yes, that's really a word).

Uncle Pinky

2007-08-06T22:22:00.000-04:00

Today's installment is a collage of balloon volleyball pictures. I love seeing where the water balloon is and seeing everybody's eyes intent upon it.

Wednesday night I hope to post . . . why adults should not be allowed too close to hoses . . . except, of course, for Hose-ay . . .

2007-08-05T19:17:00.000-04:00

So many pictures to remember the week by! I've included some here and will post some more tomorrow. But, before then, I better get the truth of it all off my chest!

And here are just some of the many bubble episodes. All of the pictures will be up somewhere soon, and then you can find your favorites there.