An excellent chapel service today. (The publishing company I work for is part of a ministry, so we have chapel services on Wednesday mornings.) The speaker was David Livermore, and he taught from Hebrews 1:1-2: "In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe."
The book of Hebrews, he explains, makes the point that Jesus is the best of everything, and in the first verse, what the Scripture is really saying is that God spoke "in Jesus," meaning that Jesus is the language of God (yet more insight into John 1, where Jesus is the Word made flesh). God speaks in Jesus, like people from The Netherlands speak in Dutch and people from China speak in Chinese. Wow!
Then follows seven descriptives explaining who Jesus is, with seven, of course, signifying completeness. Interestingly, the speaker made the connection between the Westminster Confession and the statement that "the Son is the radiance of God's glory." But he didn't make the connection between the first statement--the Son is "the heir of all things," and therefore owns all things, even us--and Heidelberg Catechism, Lord's Day 1. But that was okay, because I did.
In the seventh descriptive, which according to Hebrew custom would be the most important point, Jesus sits down. Why would His sitting down be significant? Jesus can sit down because His work is complete--there is nothing else for Him to do. "It is finished."
1/31/07
1/30/07
Gavin
At four-and-a-half months old, Gavin knows far more of hospitals and doctors than some of us will ever know. He was born with Down's Syndrome and serious heart defects. Right now he is living in the children's hospital in Ann Arbor, where he had heart surgery in early January. His mom stays with him there, and his dad and three older brothers remain at home and visit on the weekends. Pictures of Gavin reveal an adorable baby boy who has a loving family, but some of the pictures look like lots and lots of tubes and medical equipment, with a teeny baby attached. But for such a little person, Gavin has assumed a large presence in our home and obviously in the homes of his other family members and friends.
Gavin and his family are members of the same church our family attends. Every day I check his mom's CarePages blog to see how Gavin is, and when I come home from work, my children want a report about Gavin. We pray for him, his family, and his doctors and nurses each night during family devotions. After what looked to be a promising surgery and some slow but steady progress, the last two days have been discouraging as Gavin's condition has worsened. Understandably, Gavin's mom wants to take him home so she can take care of him and the rest of her family too.
Gavin may have experienced far too much pain and sickness for such a small boy, but he also knows an amazing love that, sadly for them, some children will never know. That's another thing that pictures of him and his family show. I am always moved when our pastor prays for Gavin each week; he often refers to Gavin as "the weakest among us." But it's okay that he's the weakest among us; even the strongest among us is weak. We all need that power that is made perfect in weakness, that only comfort (2 Corinthians 12:9-10). It is good to know that even the weakest among us is protected by the strongest Strength possible, and in that, even the weakest among us is strong.
Please pray for Gavin and his family if they come to mind, that God will renew their strength as they persevere through this time of sickness and trial.
Gavin and his family are members of the same church our family attends. Every day I check his mom's CarePages blog to see how Gavin is, and when I come home from work, my children want a report about Gavin. We pray for him, his family, and his doctors and nurses each night during family devotions. After what looked to be a promising surgery and some slow but steady progress, the last two days have been discouraging as Gavin's condition has worsened. Understandably, Gavin's mom wants to take him home so she can take care of him and the rest of her family too.
Gavin may have experienced far too much pain and sickness for such a small boy, but he also knows an amazing love that, sadly for them, some children will never know. That's another thing that pictures of him and his family show. I am always moved when our pastor prays for Gavin each week; he often refers to Gavin as "the weakest among us." But it's okay that he's the weakest among us; even the strongest among us is weak. We all need that power that is made perfect in weakness, that only comfort (2 Corinthians 12:9-10). It is good to know that even the weakest among us is protected by the strongest Strength possible, and in that, even the weakest among us is strong.
Please pray for Gavin and his family if they come to mind, that God will renew their strength as they persevere through this time of sickness and trial.
1/29/07
Cinderella Man
I watched the excellent movie Cinderella Man this weekend. I saw it in the theater when it was originally released, but after meeting the main character's real-life grandson at a party a couple of weeks ago, my interest was piqued, and I decided it was time to see it again.
Cinderella Man is based on the true story of James Braddock, a Depression-era, down-on-his-luck boxer who makes an amazing comeback, capturing the boxing championship from Max Baer. (Somebody please explain to me the thrill of boxing! I find it hard to believe that God is pleased when two of His image bearers climb into a ring [which is actually rectangular shaped] with the ultimate goal of knocking an opponent unconscious by repeated blows to the head and abdomen. Perhaps I'm oversimplifying, but I definitely digress!) Aside from the boxing context, this is storytelling at its finest, and Russell Crowe proves to be more than a pretty face as he masterfully plays the half-starved, world-weary Braddock.
So many themes weave themselves throughout the story, but one that stood out to me as I watched was the question of what it is that makes a man manly. It becomes clear that to the storyteller, what a man is, is not necessarily what he does. Although he has proven himself to be a skilled boxer, Braddock does not exude the machismo, brutish, violent sensibilities often associated with the sport's champions. A gentle man, Braddock clearly values his wife and children above all, and he will do what it takes to meet their needs with integrity and dignity. In fact, the only time Braddock shows anger in the course of the film is when his wife--of necessity--sends their three children to stay with relatives. The electricity has been turned off because the Braddocks have not had enough money to pay the bill for several months, the children are sick, and what else could she do? Braddock swallows his pride, goes to the local government assistance office, and gets about half of what he needs to pay the bill. To collect the other half, he goes to the sportsmen's club where he once was lauded as a boxing hero, explains the situation to the financially comfortable men there, and, hat in hand, goes around the room collecting the rest of what he needs to bring his children home. And Crowe portrays all of this in such a way that the viewer feels respect--not pity or disgust--for a man who is clearly doing what he would rather not do for the well-being of his family.
Toward the end of the movie, an obvious contrast is drawn between Baer and Braddock. Baer was known for having "legally" killed two men in the ring with his powerful punch, and he intends to make Braddock the third. Baer is everything Braddock is not: physically huge, arrogant, with an obvious blood lust--a beast. Again, the financial gain that Braddock will earn for his family from this fight--win or lose--makes him willing to put his life on the line. The evening before the big fight, Braddock and his wife are treated to dinner in an elegant New York restaurant. Baer enters with his entourage of women and fans just as Braddock and his wife are stashing leftovers in her purse to take home to the children. In a spirit of sportsmanship, Braddock approaches Baer to wish him well. Baer responds by taunting Braddock, threatening him with certain death. As Braddock's wife approaches, Baer makes lewd comments about how he will be the one to comfort her when Braddock is gone. May Braddock picks up the nearest glass from the counter and throws it in Baer's face in response. As Braddock and his wife leave, Baer shouts one last taunt, "Got your wife fighting for you, Braddock?" What follows is now my favorite moment in the movie: All becomes quiet, Braddock slowly turns to face Baer, and in a few brief seconds, Crowe reflects with his face all the possible responses he might give here. After a pregnant pause, Braddock smiles widely and says, "Yeah--ain't she somethin'?" And again the storyteller shows us a superior man, one who conducts himself with dignity, self-respect, and discipline.
So what makes a man manly? One who can kill another with a single blow? One who could weather the financial storms of the Depression with money and comfort? This movie shows us that what makes a man manly is his character--his love for his family, his willingness to sacrifice himself for their good, one who is honest, self-disciplined, and conducts himself with dignity in all circumstances.
Cinderella Man is based on the true story of James Braddock, a Depression-era, down-on-his-luck boxer who makes an amazing comeback, capturing the boxing championship from Max Baer. (Somebody please explain to me the thrill of boxing! I find it hard to believe that God is pleased when two of His image bearers climb into a ring [which is actually rectangular shaped] with the ultimate goal of knocking an opponent unconscious by repeated blows to the head and abdomen. Perhaps I'm oversimplifying, but I definitely digress!) Aside from the boxing context, this is storytelling at its finest, and Russell Crowe proves to be more than a pretty face as he masterfully plays the half-starved, world-weary Braddock.
So many themes weave themselves throughout the story, but one that stood out to me as I watched was the question of what it is that makes a man manly. It becomes clear that to the storyteller, what a man is, is not necessarily what he does. Although he has proven himself to be a skilled boxer, Braddock does not exude the machismo, brutish, violent sensibilities often associated with the sport's champions. A gentle man, Braddock clearly values his wife and children above all, and he will do what it takes to meet their needs with integrity and dignity. In fact, the only time Braddock shows anger in the course of the film is when his wife--of necessity--sends their three children to stay with relatives. The electricity has been turned off because the Braddocks have not had enough money to pay the bill for several months, the children are sick, and what else could she do? Braddock swallows his pride, goes to the local government assistance office, and gets about half of what he needs to pay the bill. To collect the other half, he goes to the sportsmen's club where he once was lauded as a boxing hero, explains the situation to the financially comfortable men there, and, hat in hand, goes around the room collecting the rest of what he needs to bring his children home. And Crowe portrays all of this in such a way that the viewer feels respect--not pity or disgust--for a man who is clearly doing what he would rather not do for the well-being of his family.
Toward the end of the movie, an obvious contrast is drawn between Baer and Braddock. Baer was known for having "legally" killed two men in the ring with his powerful punch, and he intends to make Braddock the third. Baer is everything Braddock is not: physically huge, arrogant, with an obvious blood lust--a beast. Again, the financial gain that Braddock will earn for his family from this fight--win or lose--makes him willing to put his life on the line. The evening before the big fight, Braddock and his wife are treated to dinner in an elegant New York restaurant. Baer enters with his entourage of women and fans just as Braddock and his wife are stashing leftovers in her purse to take home to the children. In a spirit of sportsmanship, Braddock approaches Baer to wish him well. Baer responds by taunting Braddock, threatening him with certain death. As Braddock's wife approaches, Baer makes lewd comments about how he will be the one to comfort her when Braddock is gone. May Braddock picks up the nearest glass from the counter and throws it in Baer's face in response. As Braddock and his wife leave, Baer shouts one last taunt, "Got your wife fighting for you, Braddock?" What follows is now my favorite moment in the movie: All becomes quiet, Braddock slowly turns to face Baer, and in a few brief seconds, Crowe reflects with his face all the possible responses he might give here. After a pregnant pause, Braddock smiles widely and says, "Yeah--ain't she somethin'?" And again the storyteller shows us a superior man, one who conducts himself with dignity, self-respect, and discipline.
So what makes a man manly? One who can kill another with a single blow? One who could weather the financial storms of the Depression with money and comfort? This movie shows us that what makes a man manly is his character--his love for his family, his willingness to sacrifice himself for their good, one who is honest, self-disciplined, and conducts himself with dignity in all circumstances.
1/28/07
Who Can Stand?
This afternoon's sermon was taken from Exodus 12:21-42 and was aptly titled "The Exodus." Our minister has been preaching from the book of Exodus for the past several months, and I hope that the Israelites' departure from Egypyt will not be his departure from what has been an amazing, powerful sermon series that began with Moses' call to lead the people out, through the plagues, and now deliverance.
Early on in the series, it is said of Pharoah's magicians during the plague of boils that they cannot stand before Moses because of the boils on them, which raised the question, "Who can stand?" This question occurs in Revelation 6:17, when the terrifying sixth seal of judgment has been opened (much like the plagues of judgment on Egypt): "For the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?"
The sermon this afternoon revealed yet another Exodus-Revelation connection, as the Israelites' deliverance from Egypt was but a shadow of the deliverance accomplished for us in Christ. The church is a sojourning people ("pilgrims of the dispersion," Peter calls us), and as Israel's sojourn in Egypt ended with the Passover judgment and the deliverance of the Exodus, so the church, after a time of trouble, will be delivered with a glorious exodus from the earth, described in Revelation 7:9ff.
In the January 2007 Outlook, Rev. Brian Vos addresses both the question of who can stand and the answer in his article "Looking Above," tying together the themes of Exodus and Revelation, much as my own faithful pastor did:
"Who is able to stand? Revelation 7 gives you the answer: only those who are saved by the Lamb, washed in His blood, clothed in His righteousness, shall stand. And they shall stand, only to fall down in worshiping Him, their Shepherd who shall spread His tabernacle over them for all eternity. And in the tabernacle of His glorious Presence, you will never weep again."
To such faithful preaching and awesome truths, what other response could there be than that of the worshipers earlier in Revelation 7: "Amen!"
Early on in the series, it is said of Pharoah's magicians during the plague of boils that they cannot stand before Moses because of the boils on them, which raised the question, "Who can stand?" This question occurs in Revelation 6:17, when the terrifying sixth seal of judgment has been opened (much like the plagues of judgment on Egypt): "For the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?"
The sermon this afternoon revealed yet another Exodus-Revelation connection, as the Israelites' deliverance from Egypt was but a shadow of the deliverance accomplished for us in Christ. The church is a sojourning people ("pilgrims of the dispersion," Peter calls us), and as Israel's sojourn in Egypt ended with the Passover judgment and the deliverance of the Exodus, so the church, after a time of trouble, will be delivered with a glorious exodus from the earth, described in Revelation 7:9ff.
In the January 2007 Outlook, Rev. Brian Vos addresses both the question of who can stand and the answer in his article "Looking Above," tying together the themes of Exodus and Revelation, much as my own faithful pastor did:
"Who is able to stand? Revelation 7 gives you the answer: only those who are saved by the Lamb, washed in His blood, clothed in His righteousness, shall stand. And they shall stand, only to fall down in worshiping Him, their Shepherd who shall spread His tabernacle over them for all eternity. And in the tabernacle of His glorious Presence, you will never weep again."
To such faithful preaching and awesome truths, what other response could there be than that of the worshipers earlier in Revelation 7: "Amen!"
1/27/07
My Theology
I can think of no better way to begin my adventure in blogging than to share what I have been learning from the best book I've ever read on Christian living for women. The book was actually published in 2001, so I'm a little slow to find it, admittedly, but this also should be a signal to publishers not to completely forsake the backlist! The book is by Carolyn Custis James, and it is entitled When Life and Beliefs Collide: How Knowing God Makes a Difference. The title alone offers much food for thought, but if you need even more, here's an exceptional paragraph that all women should take to heart:
"The greatest asset a woman brings to her marriage is not her beauty, her charm, her feminine wiles, or even her ability to bear a child. It is her theology. Every wife is her husband's partner, pastor, spiritual counselor, motivational speaker, and his fellow soldier in the war zone. With her eyes fixed on Jesus, she is less inclined to make her husband, herself, or her children the center of the universe. With head and heart filled with the knowledge of God, she will find strength to enter the fray and wrestle with all of life's problems alongside her husband. As she lives in the light of God's sovereign goodness, she will radiate hope and courage to him in the darkest hours. With her feet firmly planted on God's holy character, she will find boldness to stand up to her man when his disobedience is tarnishing God's glory. And her husband will only be the better for it."
James's assertion is that we all, men and women, must know God deeply, and this knowledge forms our theology, which is essential for coping with the ups and downs that we will all face in life. Thank you, Carolyn, for encouraging us women to use our minds to inform our hearts. What an excellent, biblical treatment of women and our roles in the church.
"The greatest asset a woman brings to her marriage is not her beauty, her charm, her feminine wiles, or even her ability to bear a child. It is her theology. Every wife is her husband's partner, pastor, spiritual counselor, motivational speaker, and his fellow soldier in the war zone. With her eyes fixed on Jesus, she is less inclined to make her husband, herself, or her children the center of the universe. With head and heart filled with the knowledge of God, she will find strength to enter the fray and wrestle with all of life's problems alongside her husband. As she lives in the light of God's sovereign goodness, she will radiate hope and courage to him in the darkest hours. With her feet firmly planted on God's holy character, she will find boldness to stand up to her man when his disobedience is tarnishing God's glory. And her husband will only be the better for it."
James's assertion is that we all, men and women, must know God deeply, and this knowledge forms our theology, which is essential for coping with the ups and downs that we will all face in life. Thank you, Carolyn, for encouraging us women to use our minds to inform our hearts. What an excellent, biblical treatment of women and our roles in the church.
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