The Lord's Timing?

I have to apologize for posting on a new topic without completing the last. I will have an additional post on the matter of our heroes, however, due to recent events that are unfolding around me, I have a question to pose...

We often talk about things happening in the Lord's timing, not our own. We also claim free will. God is not forcing us to make the decisions that we do. We do not teach that God is a Puppet Master. Why then, when we finally give in to the Lord, do we say that was in "the Lord's timing"?

At what point do we admit that we might have resisted the Lord? Do we really believe that everything that happens in our life is the perfect will of God? Wouldn't we consider it sin to resist God's work in our life? If we have been in sin, when we do give in, was it in the Lord's timing?

I know this is more than one question but I believe they are all related.

Do not fear to comment,
Jon

Who's your hero?

There is no doubt that in the world today, we love our heroes. In fact, men have probably always been infatuated with heroes. Remember the Philistines when they paraded Goliath around the battlefield. They sent him out every day to taunt the Israelites. He was their hero.

Maybe as you were growing up you had a comic book hero. Hollywood has been profiting from those heroes you had as a child. The media is profiting by presenting actors as role models and heroes. The NFL will make a fortune next week as it presents Tom Brady as a hero. Our continent was discovered by men lauded as heroes. As a country, we were founded by heroes. Our freedom was purchased with the life of heroes. Our freedom is being defended by heroes as you read this blog.

We have other heroes as well. People in your life that no-one else would probably consider a hero. Maybe if I asked you, you would not even recognize that you have been considering them your heroes. It may be your mom or your dad. It may be your son or your daughter. It may be a group of friends that you have put on a pedestal. It may be your boss at work, a teacher, a politician (though I sincerely hope not), the President, or even a pastor.

These are people that you look up to. People you would consider your role models. People that you aspire to be like. This may not be a bad thing in and of itself, but becomes a tragedy when we elevate these people too much. Herein lies the problem...

Many of our young people are looking to us in order to determine the validity of the Bible and it's truth. We are their heroes. In turn, we are looking at someone else as our hero. When we are let down by our hero we abandon what we know is right and blame it on the person who let us down. Other people then, who looked up to us, react in an identical manner. This is a continual progression.

I believe that this is at the heart of why people leave the church when the Pastor resigns. They came to church for the Pastor (he was their hero) and not for the body. Our kids abandon the church because they see us as hypocrites. We instruct them in they way that we expect the Pastor to live, but we don't try to live up to that ourselves. Our children aren't looking at the Pastor, they are looking at us. Men lose faith in the Pastor, wives lose faith in their husbands, and children lose faith in their parents. All of this happens because we are looking to the wrong person.

The Lord willing, one week from today, I will be preaching on how we correct this runaway train. Please stay tuned for updates.
For those who care to guess, I would welcome your comments on which passage you think I'll be presenting.


In Christ, Jon

If you give Him an inch...

I have tried to avoid writing posts that are too personal. This is not because I am timid about sharing what the Lord is doing in my life, it is simply because it may not be relevant to all readers. However, in response to the request of a friend from Georgia, (I have not been posting as often as I should) I am adding to the content of this blog. If you are not interested in my personal life, or are searching for words of insight, please feel free to scroll down and read another post.

This has been a busy month. Embarking on a new year is typically busy for me. Tax season is coming, business decisions must be made, personal finances need to be evaluated, and New Year resolutions must be abandoned. (the last one is the easiest for me to accomplish)
In addition to this, our church puts out a financial plan for the coming year (budget is apparently a dirty word) and we also distribute an annual report containing all relevant information pertaining to the previous year. These things have occupied much of my time. This however has been more than a typical year.

This past weekend the deacons of our church went on a retreat. The purpose of this retreat was to evaluate the Biblical model of church polity. If you have read my previous posts you already know that I am convinced the Biblical model of polity is found in a plurality of Elders. Though I recognize that this has not been the typical Baptist model in recent years, Karen and I have been praying that the Lord would be able to use me in teaching this doctrine.

For those who may not have heard, the Lord is asking me to commit to a life of ministry. I am not sure where this road will go, but I know that I need to follow it. Every time that I have taught on Biblical Eldership, the Lord has impressed on me His desire for my life.

I remember hearing of many people that if you gave them an inch, they would take a mile. I have always taken that phrase in a negative light. I think it is ironic how the Lord can change our perspective. With the utmost adoration and respect, I sincerely believe that if you give the Lord an inch, He will take take you a mile. I don't know that I have ever been as thankful for that as I am today.

Praise the Lord!