Preparing to enter the Promised Land

In Joshua 4 and 5 I see five significant events:

1. God dries up the Jordan river while it is at flood stage in the Spring so that the people can cross over on dry ground.

2. He commands the memorial of the crossing with twelve stones.

3. He commands the renewal of the covenant sign of circumcision.

4. The people keep the Passover, eat the produce of the land the following day, and, in a "reverse-miracle", the provision of manna ceases the day after that.

5. The commander of the army of the Lord appears to Joshua.

Some thoughts:

Apart from the practical aspect of allowing the vast multitude of Israelites to cross safely, drying up the Jordan accomplished several things.

First, it was a symbolic copy of the parting of the Red Sea (4:23), and showed the people that God was with Joshua as he had been with Moses. God used it to"begin to exalt" (3:7) Joshua in the sight of Israel.

Second, God used it both to cause his people to fear him(4:24) and to instill confidence that he was still among them and would drive out the nations with a mighty arm (3:10).

Third, he used it to "melt the hearts" of the nations surrounding them and demoralize them so that "no spirit was left in them" (5:1).

Lastly, by memorializing it with the twelve stones, God caused the miracle to continue having these same effects on the generations to come- testifying to God's great power and care for his people.

Having commanded the people through Joshua: "consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you", God then begins to consecrate (set apart as holy) the people.

First, he performs a "dry baptism" by passing them through the waters- but on dry land. After that, he renews the covenant sign of circumcision, purifying them by removing part of the flesh. And just as there was a second parting of the waters, there is another Passover observance- this time in reverse order: (1st Passover- crossing the R Sea- crossing Jordan- Passover)- further reminding them of God's special provision for their deliverance. They are set apart for God's own possession because he protected them from his own wrath by the passover lamb, then brought them out of slavery in Egypt with a mighty hand.

Application: Consecration is both something God has done and continues to do for me and to me- and something I do for and to myself, with his help. It is not either/or but both/and. Through his electing love, predestination, saving acts in history, and particular means of grace in my life: being born into a Christian family, hearing the gospel preached from an early age, the gift of faith, etc. God has set me apart and continues to do so.

But I also have a part to play in setting myself apart.

2 Tim. 2:20-23

1 Pet. 1:13-16

daily reading

(I haven't seen any new posts in over a month, so I have decided to use this blog to journal my daily Bible reading- kinda like a squatter moving into an abandoned building.)

Joshua 3
1Then Joshua rose early in the morning and they set out from Shittim. And they came to the Jordan, he and all the people of Israel, and lodged there before they passed over. 2 At the end of three days the officers went through the camp 3and commanded the people, "As soon as you see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God being carried by the Levitical priests, then you shall set out from your place and follow it. 4 Yet there shall be a distance between you and it, about 2,000 cubits in length. Do not come near it, in order that you may know the way you shall go, for you have not passed this way before." 5Then Joshua said to the people, "Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do wonders among you."

"rose early in the morning"
Great endeavors get us up early in the morning. A good measure of my sense of mission and resolve is apparent in how early I get up in the morning.

"As soon as you see the ark...set out from your place and follow it"
Like the disciples followed Jesus, who is our ark and mercy seat. So should we follow immediately when we see him at work- and there is no need to keep our distance.

"Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do wonders among you"
In the new covenant, the order is reversed: The Lord Jesus did wonders then He consecrated us.

Testing

While reading in Deuteronomy, I have been meditating on how God tests us.

In 8:2-3 Moses tells the people, "... you shall remember the whole way that the Lord your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness, that he might humble you, testing you to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep his commandments or not. And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna... that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone but by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord."

One purpose of testing is to find out what something is made of: "to know what was in your heart."  Now, I don't believe God needed more information, or that he was waiting with a worried look on his face to see how things would turn out.  I believe he knew what was in their hearts and what they would do.  But THEY didn't know. They had said, 

"All that the Lord has spoken we will do." Exodus 19:8. 

And then they had Aaron make them a golden calf, and then they grumbled and complained, and then they believed the bad report of the ten cowardly spies instead of Joshua and Caleb, and refused to advance into the Promised Land, etc.  They did NOT know. So God took them through the wilderness to show them their hearts and to humble them. 

Another purpose of testing is to teach. This is closely related, and almost the same as the first. It includes the first, because the first thing we must learn from testing is what we have to work with, what our basic, default (without God) situation is.  Above, I have already listed some of the failures of character of the people of Israel that resulted in wrong actions.  Other good descriptions which we can generalize for ourselves are in Ephesians 2:1-3 

And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience-- among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind."

and Revelation 3:17

... you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.

 

These statements about our natural condition are important, but most of us also need to hit the pavement with our chins a few times to really understand.  Besides teaching us what we are made of, what is in our heart, through trials God also shows us our weakness and inability to provide for ourselves. He teaches us that we are completely dependent on Him.  The provision of manna for the Israelites is a beautiful and powerful picture of how directly dependent we are on God.  But the manna wasn't "necessary" and wouldn't have been wanted in Egypt.  It was only out in the desert, when they were starving, that they needed and ate the manna.  It is interesting to me that Jesus quotes these words to Satan when he is being tempted to miraculously provide bread for himself after his fast in the desert.  What a contrast!  The Israelites as they wandered in the desert had to be taught in a practical, graphic, life-threatening way just how dependent they were on God.  Jesus, who had the ability in himself to produce bread by his word, said (in effect):  "No. I have been led by the Spirit to this desert to fast and be strengthened to conquer your temptation. I look to the Father and his word to guide all my actions, and to supply all my need.  I will not allow my hunger to cause me to listen to your word and follow your suggestions."

So here we have two reasons to be humble: our natural sinful character, and our weak dependence on God for everything. Trials are key in showing us and thoroughly convincing us of both.

Lastly, testing and trials produce more than understanding.  The are the practical means of our purification.  We are like impure ore that has dirt and unwanted minerals and less valuable metals in it.  Some of the dirt can be washed off, but eventually we require the refiners fire. 

Voice in the Wilderness

Intimacy – Fueled by love/passion, “we love Him because He first loved us.”

If we find our love for Him lacking, it is because we have listened to the lies of the enemy accusing God’s love being conditional, therefore not available in power to us because of our sinful, frail human condition. The enemy wages war against our soul heaping shame and condemnation upon us like the Egyptians heaped heavy bags of grain and mortar upon the shoulders of the Isrealites. At the end of the day, our strength is spent, our identity as children of God is all but forgotten after seemingly 400 years of slavery – despite our elders, teachers, parents, friends and family reminding us of our heritage week after week, day after day. The reality of the harsh conditions of slavery and the brutal searing lashes of our demonic oppressors weigh heavier upon our minds and our concept of who we are than does the truth of God’s Word or the encouragement of a well-meaning friend or teacher.

Then we hear a voice raised up like a trumpet shouting, “PHAROAH! LET MY PEOPLE GO!!!” The voice echoes through our soul like an earthquake, and just like what happened with Paul and Silas, we look down with astonishment and see that our shackles are broken and the doors of the prison holding us captive have been opened.

The voice shines like a light from heaven, piercing the darkness, driving away fear, shame, condemnation and every other deception of the evil one. The voice is one of a modern-day deliverer whom God has raised up to echo the words of Jesus, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” (Luke 4:18-19)

This same voice proclaims, “While we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person – though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die – but God shows His love for us in that while we were sinners Christ died for us.” (Rom 5:6-11)

It is this message of unconditional love that is stronger than our sin that pulls us out of our self –pity and deprecation, and awakens our heart to the possibilities of a life free in God. It is this message of unconditional love that motivates us to return to our first love. This same voice proclaims, “Even in your weakness, you are lovely! Everything I do,” says the Lord, “I do for you, my love.”

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through Him. Whoever believes in Him is not condemned…” (John 3:16-18a, emphasis mine)

It is this love that motivated God to create us in the first place, desiring to have relationship with us. It was this unconditional love that motivated Him to set His plan of redemption into place after the fall of humanity instead of wiping us out and creating a new race of creatures that could please Him better.

It was this unconditional love which motivated Christ, “who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made Himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted Him and bestowed upon Him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:6-11)

This is why when the voice of the deliverer that cries out from the wilderness cries out shouting, “PHARAOH! LET MY PEOPLE GO!!!” Pharaoh listens. Pharaoh must submit. If he resists, the powers of heaven and of earth are shaken as God displays mighty works of power and glory in demonstration against the hand of Pharaoh. Jesus defeated death and the power of the devil on the cross, and Ephesians 4:8 states, “When He ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men.” The apostle Paul was quoting David in Psalms 68:18 which also includes, “and He gave gifts to men, even among the rebellious, that the Lord God may dwell there.”

This is where the rubber hits the road. Yes, God loves rebellious you and I. God loves our hearts, despite our nature being prone to wander from His presence. God’s love is stronger than our sin. God’s love is stronger than besetting sin, even habitual sin that we can’t seem to leave in the past. A revelation of God’s unconditional love for us is our only hope for defeating this sin.
Gazing upon Him, beholding His glory, we will be changed from glory to glory. God is love. As we gaze upon Him, and upon His great love for us, we WILL be changed. That is why it is so important that we take time to gaze upon Him, because we become what we are beholding (gazing upon).

When Jacob set the spotted branch in front of the strong goats of Laban’s herd as they were breeding, they gave birth to strong, spotted offspring. By the time Jacob had done this over a course of several years, Jacob ended up with all of the strength of his father-in-law’s herd, because he had previously made an agreement to leave with the spotted of his flock.

Let this be our motivation then, to gaze upon Him with a revelation of His unending, overwhelming love for us and for all of humanity. Lord, visit the apple of your eye with your Spirit! Visit the apple of your eye with your power! Turn the hearts of your people! Send forth the spirit of Elijah again! Let your voice be heard once again!

True Love can't wait (to give)

(this is a synthesis of a message by John Piper in his video series The Blazing Center)

2 Corinthians 8:1-4,8
1 Corinthians 13:3

The apostle Paul was encouraging the Corinthian church to give generously for the needs of the poor in Jerusalem by describing a miracle which he had experienced in Macedonia as he saw how the church there gave.

1We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, 2for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. 3For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, 4begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints—

8 I say this not as a command, but to prove by the earnestness of others that your love also is genuine.

Verse 8 shows that what is described in vv1-4 is what Paul would call "genuine love".

So this is how the whole deal came down:

First- "the grace of God was given among the churches"
then- "in a severe test of affliction" (circumstances)
"extreme poverty" combined with "abundance of joy"
to produce an overflow of wealth of generosity

this generosity is further described as:
giving- according to their means--> beyond their means
of their own free will--> begging earnestly for the favor of giving

Picture this: a bowl made out of clay (earthen vessel) = the Macedonian church
sitting on brambles and thorns which are on fire = severe test of affliction (probably persecution)
with a few tablespoons of thin soup in the bowl= extreme poverty

then ALL OF A SUDDEN God rains his grace on them!

and the whole mess bubbles up and spills over = generous giving for the needs of the poor

Now consider 1 Corinthians 13:3
3 If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.

Paul says, "even if I make an extreme act of generosity and devotion, if it is not motivated by LOVE- it isn't worth anything in God's accounting."

Based on 2 Corinthians 8, Love is:
The outpouring of God's grace which produces such joy that it overflows in generosity to others (even in extreme circumstances of poverty and persecution).

So the often quoted teaching that "Love isn't a feeling, it is something you DO." is wrong, or at least incomplete. I believe it is a reaction to worldly, selfish "love" which is motivated by the loveliness of the object, and produces feelings of desire in the "lover". Certainly it is true that love is more than a feeling, in this sense.

The next step up is a love motivated by knowledge of God's law and a sense of duty to obey it. It is a legalistic, dutiful love. It is an act of the will. Piper (characteristically, in my opinion) sees only black and white, and says this is NOT love at all. I quibble with this, because I believe we are to use all the weapons at our disposal, and sometimes the only one at hand is duty.

In the first case, the love is focused on the object, the person being loved.
In the second, the focus is on the subject, the lover and her duty to love.
The best case includes both the object and the subject, but is energized neither by the desirability nor the needs of the former, nor the desire or duty of the latter, but by the grace of God.

Yes we see the need, yes we realize our duty- but then the grace of God pours down and soaks us in joy! We love out of an exuberant desire to share God's love which is overflowing in our hearts.

So true love can't wait, and true love is a feeling.

Visit to KC

We are looking forward to seeing Hans and Jerrica in KC next week! I told Kyah that she was going to see Hope. She said "and baby Elijah". I thought she was talking about her friend Elisha that lives here in Kentucky. I said "no, baby Elisha will stay here at home". She looked at me and slowly corrected me "eli-JAH". I was amazed that she remembered Elijah's name. She must have thought very highly of him.

One Delightful God

If you see a baby shriek and clap while watching a balloon bounce around, you would infer something about the balloon.... not the baby. The balloon is exciting! We often view our brother's and sister's excitement for Jesus and infer something good about the Christian. No! They are excited because they see something exciting! They are delighted because they see something delightful! We often think in dismay, "Why can't I be excited like them?" Instead we should pray "God, excite me too! Show me how delightful you are!"

my dad

To those of you who know us, I'd just like to let you know that we began a website for my father, who was killed in a car accident December 20th. I don't usually post my deepest thoughts about this stuff on our website or even our blog (which, by the way, is www.ericandleila.blogspot.com), but I do put some in the "journal" section of this website. Please keep praying for our family, if you don't mind. The website is www.drnayeem.com. Love you guys.
Leila

Mars Hill Series

I have really enjoyed watching Mark Driscoll's 9 misconceptions sermon series. The "Emerging Church" topic was especially good this week. http://www.marshillchurch.org/sermonseries/

Bad Chicken Lesson

So in my pursuits to find the balance between strict materialism and strict nonmaterialism, especially in regards to emotional sin ... I have a funny story. My stomach was rolling yesterday and I had the shakes. I figured it was because I had to much on my mind. All day, I tried to keep my mind steadfast on the Lord. I examined my heart for sin.. which I did find some of course. But I still could find no rest. When I went to bed, I started crying to Wes that I apparently did not have the right view of God because I could not relax. I silently cried out to God for peace and believed promises of Scripture for God to give us peace. Finally, I whispered the verse from Zephaniah.. "God, please quiet me with your love". At that second, I felt a lump in my throat. I lept from bed and puked bad Chik Filet all over the floor. Sweet relief for my soul. Oh the day, when we will no longer be one with this corrupted body plagued by disease and rotten chicken!

And what grace from our Designer to have an eject reflex!

culture or kingdom?

Sorry Hans, you asked where we've been...traveling across Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming! But we're home now.

Lately I've been asking a lot of questions about how much of what we do is Kingdom of God stuff, and how much of it is our culture. Eric likes to say that he thinks he's 97% culture, 3% biblical. This first came up a few years ago when I heard a preacher say that to wear baggy jeans, have piercings, or blue-dyed hair was looking "like the world." Immediately I wondered who he thinks he looks like when he wears his suit and tie? He still reflects a good portion of "the world," but of course it's the respectable part so it's much more like Christ...(This will continue to happen until Christians become so good at separating themselves from the world around them that we have truly Christian hairstyles, Christian clothes, and maybe even a Christian language to go with our music, movies, and jewelry. I hope I'm hanging out with Jesus by the time this happens.) I don't mind culture--in fact I love studying and being a part of different ones--but I react strongly when people assume that what they do culturally is biblical. Eric and I have been reading a book called Pagan Christianity? (a warning: don't read it unless you're ready for some really challenging thoughts, and unless you are able to read something that you don't agree with 100% but can take the good parts from), and it details where we got most of our church culture. I won't go into it, but most of it wasn't from the Holy Spirit, Jesus, or the Bible, it was from the pagan cultures of the day. I could give example after example of this, but will spare you. That doesn't mean we can't do some of these things--I'm all about contextualizing the Good News--but it does mean that they aren't sacred, they aren't commanded, and they aren't guaranteed to please God. I can't wait to see CREATIVITY reemerge in Christ's Church, the kind that actually NEEDS God to pull off the Christian life, and can't survive a single day without Him calling the shots.

Leila

Biblical Basis for Self Defense

I was recently asked if there was really a Biblical basis for self-defense. After all, wasn't Jesus pretty consistent with His teachings in the Gospels (particularly in Matt 5 Sermon on the Mount) in presenting a doctrine of pacifism, or at least non-violent resistance?

Matt 5:38-39 "You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.'^[g] 39But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also."
Matt 5:43-45 "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor^[h] and hate your enemy.' 44But I tell you: Love your enemies^[i] and pray for those who persecute you, 45that you may be sons of your Father in heaven."

After a first look at this it seems as though Jesus and His New Covenant teachings are contradicting Mosaic Law, but even Jesus Himself denied this earlier in the same passage saying,

Matt 5:17-18, "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.

So, does this mean I can use Exodus 22:2 as a "license to kill" and keep a clean conscience in self-defense?

"If a thief is caught breaking in and is struck so that he dies, the defender is not guilty of bloodshed"

Some would disagree with this, proposing that the New Covenant takes precedent over the old, and that Jesus' teachings clearly teach non-violence

Matt 26:52 "Those who live by the sword will die by the sword."

But what about when Jesus said in

Luke 22:35-36, "Then Jesus asked them, "When I sent you without purse, bag or sandals, did you lack anything? "Nothing," they answered. 36He said to them, "But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don't have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one." (italics mine)

What are we to make of this? Is anyone thoroughly confused now? I will not presume to make sense of this dilemma, I will leave that to some respected theologians, whom I quote below:

"What our Lord here enjoins upon His disciples is simply the duty of self-preservation as the need may arise under the new conditions. They must now give thought to two things: first, the physical requirements of life, as indicated by a 'purse' for money, and the 'wallet' for provisions; and, second, some measure of defense against physical dangers, as indicated by the 'sword'" (Italics his, Pg. 372). Since the time period that Christ was talking about is obviously that of the early church, could this not be applicable to us today? If Christ told the disciples to not needlessly risk their lives, why shouldn’t we also think about our own protection and that of our families? In a day when having a gun in our house for protection is under attack, it is interesting that Jesus himself seems to okay the use of force to protect one's life if necessary."

Alva J. McClain, Greatness of the Kingdom

The Theory of Self-Defense

If life is thus sacred, as God’s boon, and is man’s one possession of transcendent value, then to take it away without right is an enormous outrage. Suppose this outrage is obviously about to be perpetrated by an aggressor upon an innocent person. Suppose, also, that the protection of the law is absent, and cannot be successfully invoked? What shall the defendant do? Is it his duty to be passive and yield up his life; or to take the defensive, and protect it by force, even to the extent of taking the assailant’s life if necessary? Human laws and conscience concur in the latter answer. Remember that the aggressor unrighteously creates the dilemma, making it necessary that at least one life must go. Whose had best go? Obviously the life of the criminal, rather than that of the innocent man. Again: If law subsequently has its just course, the murderer, after his guilty success, will have to die for it. The case is then still stronger: that the passive theory sacrifices two lives, one innocent; whereas the theory of self-defense saves the righteous life, and only sacrifices the guilty one. Our conclusion is also confirmed by the existence in us of the emotion of lawful resentment, the righteousness of which, within its proper bounds, the Savior allows (Matt. 5:22; Eph. 4:26). For if there is no forcible self-defense against wrong, there is no reasonable scope for this emotion.

The Scriptures expressly confirm us. The right of slaying the housebreaker clearly implies a right of self-defense, Ex. 22:2. The law of the cities of refuge contains the same right, Num. 35:22. The effect of this permission is evaded, indeed, by the pretense that Moses’ legislation was imperfect and barbarous, and is corrected by the milder instructions of our Savior. Matt. 5:39. But I have taught you the falsehood of this notion, and showed you that the Old Testament teaches precisely the same morality with the New.

- R. L. Dabney, Topical Lectures on Scripture

Self Defense is not forbidden by God

That homicide in self-defense is not forbidden by the sixth commandment, is plain,

(1.) Because such homicide is not malicious, and, therefore, does not come within the scope of the prohibition.

(2.) Because self-preservation is an instinct of our nature, and therefore, a revelation of the will of God.

(3.) Because it is a dictate of reason and of natural justice that if of two persons one must die, it should be the aggressor and not the aggrieved.

(4.) Because the universal judgment of men, and the Word of God, pronounce the man innocent who kills another in defense of his own life or that of his neighbor.

- Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology

Raised From The Dead

A news report of a man raised from the dead by a doctor's prayer. Very compelling. Follow the link below...

Raised From The Dead

You'll need a version of Windows Media Player 7 or higher to view the video. If you need to download it, go tohttp://www.microsoft.com/windows/mediaplayer/en/default.asp. The video player is supported by Microsoft IE 5.0 and above.

God and Politics

Here is an interesting quote I found by a Christian blogger on politics and Christians. Let me know what you think...I like the part I italicized, but not the rest

For if we are to be Christlike, we must not focus on building up a political solidarity around “God’s Politics” or trying to get “our people” into power. This reflects how Jesus Christ rejected the way of the Zealot or the capture of the state by “the righteous” as critical for the advancement of the kingship of God. Instead, we must focus on loving our neighbors and overcoming evil with love. However, a critical part of how we overcome evil with love is in how we participate in the ongoing remaking of the rules that govern us. We need to, in the context of our local communities, prayerfully form or join local and national movements, including third parties and/or factions working from within or with main parties, that will help to move the “center” so as to balance the promotion of sustainable wealth creation and its fair redistribution, especially with the eradication of extreme poverty in our world.

I will bless the Lord at all times,
his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
My soul makes it boast in the Lord,
let the humble hear and be glad. ---Ps 34

"What do you know? anything good?"
"Oh, nothing much."

How many times have I heard that question and answered it in that way?
Really? NOTHING MUCH???

Even though people don't expect a substantive answer- any more than when they ask "How are you?"- this is a wonderful opportunity to extol the marvelous grace of Jesus.

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be acceptable in your sight, O Lord,
my Rock and my Redeemer. ---Ps 37

Olathe Marathon March 29

After checking out many of the local health clubs here in KC, Jerrica and I decided to join a local YMCA. It isn't quite the luxury club that Lifetime Fitness is right down the street, but it doesn't cost an arm and leg like Lifetime either. We have been up there at least three times a week over the past couple of months. Last week I noticed some advertisements for the Olathe Marathon on March 29. They are also hosting a half-marathon and 5k. I am shooting for the half-marathon. There are six weeks until then, I started preparing this week with an 8 mile run today. It went well. The most important part of training for a long run like a marathon is doing at least one long run a week, with shorter runs during the week that when put together add up to the long run done over the weekend. I will stagger the long runs leading up to the race as follows (8, 9, 10, 8, 11, 12, race).

My Experience with Science and Sin

I don't want to be a blog hog.. stay-at-home moms are notorious for that. Yes Gustavo, I wish I could tell you that I know exactly where the middle is on the issue. Obviously, you are an authority on organic causes of illness. I wish I was an authority on spiritual causes of illness. I did state my thoughts abruptly and hoped no one would take them as more than "my thoughts". My hope was that if someone was reading my thoughts, they would examine their own heart and see if science has urged them to regard emotions in their heart that the Bible calls sin. If not, then their conscience is clear. Jesus is so fulfilling to behold, that I don't want anyone to cloud their vision with sin. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Obviously, we cannot escape sin and see Jesus clearly in this life. Yet the Holy Spirit points to our unbelief as He refines us. I have found from personal experience, that I let the physical manifestations of my unbelief be an excuse for not believing. When I speak of unbelief, I mean belief in who God is that He states in His word. An example of this would be my experience with "panic disorder". Many of you might remember that I sat in the Nix's living room during Hans' bachelor party. This is because I was terrified to go anywhere without Wes. I had to quit my job and stay in bed. I was scared to walk to the other side of the room without Wes holding my hand. If I thought about deep things, I would hyperventilate and empty my bowls (nice way of putting it). The doctor gave me Zoloft and I found much relief from these symptoms. But I found that the fearful thoughts were still in my mind. I was frightened by God. I had become aware of His sovereignty and control over all things, but I did not believe that He was working for my good. My spirit was terrified of God and my body was acting out this fright. From what I understand of current neuroscience research on OCD patients, is that the adult brain is plastic and can be conformed by a nonmaterial brain. Meditation actually "resets" chemical pathways in the brain. This research is at the front of the Intelligent Design's movement to hault materialism, therefore Darwinism. (Unfortunately, I think it will also advance paganism in our culture.) Anyway, as I meditated on His Word, especially the psalms, the Holy Spirit testified to my spirit that David's perception of God was true. My mind was renewed and its medium, my brain, followed. I do not wish to help the enemy of our souls by accusing anyone of sin that is not there. Please correct me if I am wrong, but Scripture recognizes despair, fear, and anger (I name these because I have done their bidding) as rooted in unbelief. God made us to be emotional, and our emotions are at peace when they do His bidding and our minds are steadfast because we trust in Him. Isaiah 26:3
I have not been on medication for years and now understand the weight of God's power to transform through His Holy Spirit and His word. This is not because of anything I have done, but because of God's faithfulness to refine us. My experience with panic disorder produced peaceable, powerful fruits of faith. What a gift!

Back on my horse

As the time draws near (3 months and 5 days) for my next race- the Memphis in May Triathlon, I have finally started getting serious about training- this week, anyway! It is helpful and motivating to have clear memories of14+ previous experiences of race day with varying levels of preparation.
Especially in swimming, my worst sport, I have cranked up the distance. I swam 30 laps Saturday, and 32 (1 mile) Monday. This morning, I did 20 laps before work. I also ran 3 miles after the swims Saturday and Monday, and 3.5 mi Tuesday; and biked 1 hour on Sunday afternoon.
Now I just need to control my intake so I don't have to drag a fat carcass around the race course.

My Thoughts on Science and Sin

If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me Psalm 66:18
Darwin's theory of natural selection is a theological response to natural evil. He could not attribute the loss of his beloved daughter and malevolent animal behaviors to a loving creator. Instead, he evoked natural processes that would, by chance, produce such sadness and devastation. Darwin extrapolated current natural processes to account for the origin of life. He offered no empirical evidence whatsoever, but appealed to man’s imagination. He trained his readers to visualize transitions between animals even though they are found nowhere in the fossil record. Why would man go along with this theory that is only true in our imagination? Natural selection was readily received by a condition that was already corrupting the hearts of man. Philosophers call it naturalism or scientific materialism. The Bible calls it foolishness. It states that we are only matter. We are not souls accountable to God. Our thoughts are simply chemical reactions.Sociobiology is a "science" born from Darwinism. The great sociobiologists, like E.O. Wilson, offered explanations of human behavior by applying Darwin's theories of natural selection. We behave and think certain ways because these ways were once advantageous for survival. This branch of Darwinian thought eventually infiltrated how we counsel one another. The Bible appoints fellow believers to counsel one another. Someone is qualified to counsel if he has submitted himself to God's authority and bears good fruit in his own life. However, with the advent of sociobiology, one became "wise" to counsel if he earned a PhD in psychology under the submission of an academic advisor. Popular psychologists now inform us how to raise our children, treat our spouses, and express our emotions.What Darwinism, therefore popular psychology, lacks is the recognition of sin. Darwin abolished evil as he attempted to account for it. However, moral and natural evil are a product of sin, man’s rebellion against God. Darwin’s theory has allowed us to no longer be sinners, but victims of our brain chemistry. Psychologists tell us our depression and anxieties are not our fault, they are simply chemical imbalances. This would be true if we were only matter. Yet the Bible, and current neuroscience research, teaches that we are souls in a body. You have a mind that effects your brain. Our bodies' ailments are usually products of spiritual ailments. David said "Oh my soul, why are you downcast? Hope in God!" He did not say "Oh my body, why are you chemically imbalanced? Take your Prozac!" Prozac would have helped David by fixing his brain, but his spirit would have continued to not hope in God. As Christians, we often identify sin as certain behavior. But sinful behavior stems from sin which is unbelief. It is not believing God's word which leads to sinful emotions like anxiety, depression, anger, coveteousness, etc. Thankfully, these sinful emotions are not only manifestations of an unbalanced brain! We are souls, created to know our creator! He has not left us in our unbelief, but took the consequences of sin upon Himself through Jesus Christ. And He has given us His Holy Spirit to open our eyes to the reality of God's word. Those of us who are found in Jesus, must not harbor sin in our hearts, but draw near to God. Darwin would not face the fact that he was accountable to a loving and JUST God. There are consequences for sin. Jesus bore our consequences; do not continue in them as you grow cold to the love of your father. Science is a tool, it is not reality. Don't let man's denial of sin lead you to regard sin in your heart.

Reaching Down From Heaven

Hey Ideators.

check out this documentary.

Reaching Down From Heaven

I made this video back in October.

It's telling the story of one of our close friends here in San Francisco.

I think I'm going to vote for Hilary Clinton.

Especially if Barak Obama runs with her as her Vice President.

Ignatius

Wes Tappmeyer sent me the following in a recent email...

Friends,

Mull this over and chew on it. Our time here is short. Ignatius, an early church father (around 100 AD), had been captured by the Romans and condemned to die for his faith in Christ (under the Trajan edict). By this time, he was an old man. He had faithfully expounded the word of God for many years at Antioch. A Roman convoy was transporting him to Rome to be executed (likely by wild beasts for the sport of the Romans). He wrote a letter to the Church in Rome, which was planning to use its considerable influence to free Ignatius. He told them to halt their efforts.

Ignatius, desirous of an end fitting of His Christ, penned the words below to the Church in Rome. No doubt the following words of the Apostle Paul were on his mind, "But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead."

Ignatius (letter to the Roman Church):
I write to the Churches, and impress on them all, that I shall willingly die for God, unless ye hinder me. I beseech of you not to show an unseasonable good-will towards me. Suffer me to become food for the wild beasts, through whose instrumentality it will be granted me to attain to God. I am the wheat of God, and let me be ground by the teeth of the wild beasts, that I may be found the pure bread of Christ. Rather entice the wild beasts, that they may become my tomb, and may leave nothing of my body; so that when I have fallen asleep [in death], I may be no trouble to any one. Then shall I truly be a disciple of Christ, when the world shall not see so much as my body. Entreat Christ for me, that by these instruments I may be found a sacrifice [to God]. I do not, as Peter and Paul, issue commandments unto you. They were apostles; I am but a condemned man: they were free, while I am, even until now, a servant. But when I suffer, I shall be the freed-man of Jesus, and shall rise again emancipated in Him. And now, being a prisoner, I learn not to desire anything worldly or vain.

...May I enjoy the wild beasts that are prepared for me; and I pray they may be found eager to rush upon me, which also I will entice to devour me speedily, and not deal with me as with some, whom, out of fear, they have not touched. But if they be unwilling to assail me, I will compel them to do so. Pardon me [in this]: I know what is for my benefit. Now I begin to be a disciple. And let no one, of things visible or invisible, envy me that I should attain to Jesus Christ. Let fire and the cross; let the crowds of wild beasts; let tearings, breakings, and dislocations of bones; let cutting off of members; let shatterings of the whole body; and let all the dreadful torments of the devil come upon me: only let me attain to Jesus Christ.

Shortly thereafter, Ignatius was cast to the wild beasts and eaten.
He loved not his life unto death.

"Unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it bears much fruit." -- Jesus

Come, Lord Jesus!
Wes

from the Valley of Vision

Gustavo sent me the following excerpt in a recent email...

from The Valley of Vision:(book of prayers from the Puritains)

Another week has gone and I have been preserved
in my going out,in my coming in.
Thine has been the vigilance that has turned threatened evils aside;
Thine the supplies that have nourished me;
Thine the comforts that have indulged me;
Thine the relations and friends that have delighted me;
Thine the means of grace which have edified me;
Thine the Book, which, amidst all my enjoyments,
has told me that this is not my rest,
that in all successes one thing alone is needful,
to love my Saviour.

Nothing can equal the number of they mercies but my imperfections and sins.
These, O God, I will neither conceal nor palliate, but confess with a broken heart.
In what condition would secret reviews of my life leave me
were it not for the assurance that with thee there is plenteous redemption,
that thou art a forgiving God,that thou mayest be feared!
While I hope for pardon through the blood of the cross,
I pray to be clothed with humility,
to be quickened in thy way,
to be more devoted to thee,
to keep the end of my life in view,
to be cured of the folly of delay and indecision,
to know how frail I am,
to number my days and apply my heart unto wisdom.

Nobody's Perfect... not even the Patriots

I'm sure I wasn't the only one happy to see the NY Giants upset the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl Sunday evening. Why is it that we are naturally filled with desire to see the underdog win, and the predicted favorite lose (unless the favorite happens to be our team)? Is it because so many of us identify with the underdog with the odds stacked against us in life? Is it born out of pure jealousy? Cultural influence?

Just a thought, didn't know if anyone had any ideas out there that might be able to explain this phenomenon. Which brings me to my next point... this blog is not limited to theological discussion. There are plenty of interesting things to talk about in this world besides theology, and I for one am in favor of creating an atmosphere for "Idea Summit" that is open to the discussion of all topics (excluding in-depth descriptions of personal hygiene issues/products). I have a feeling that just because I said that, Eric is going to have make some sort of comment on the subject.

By the way, I would like to give special thanks to Eric and Leila, and of course my dad for their quick replies to the first subject. I also would like to thank both parties for their inspiration in the creation of this blog. It was my dad's idea (Gustavo) in the first place, and Eric and Leila contributed the background picture (their back yard in Summit County, Colorado). The choice of the word "Summit" was a coincidence though... sorry guys, can't give you credit for that.

Topical vrs. Exegetical Preaching

My father and I were discussing the pro's/con's of Topical versus Exegetical preaching. My father was lamenting the lack of exegetical preaching coming from the pulpit at his home church. Obviously, once one deviates from the proper form of exegesis the chances for a message full of fluff, personal ideas and heretical philosophies increase exponentially.

However, just because a message is topical in origin doesn't mean it is necessarily based on a false or personal pretense. A proper understanding of theology comes from seeing God's theme of redemption from the book of Genesis interwoven through all the books of the Bible to Revelation. Therefore a proper understanding of any one particular scripture is seen best as a part of the larger theme of God's picture revealed through the whole Bible.

As long as a preacher is well-versed and knowledgeable of all the elements of "the big picture" and has a solid biblical foundation for his personal beliefs and theology, he can safely draw on a larger resource of knowledge revealed through scriptures as a whole and even personal experience. It is when preachers do not have this biblical foundation for their personal beliefs and theology that things start to get messy... not counting improper motives for whatever topic he or she may choose to preach on in the first place.

All things considered, my father and I agreed that we would both appreciate and prefer exegetical preaching from our pulpits as a norm instead of a random occurance.

Welcome friends and family

My dad and I were discussing the idea of creating a blog where we are free to communicate ideas, encourage each other, and keep in touch. We decided we did not want to restrict access or membership to just the Nix family, and that we would like for it be a place to stay in touch with friends as well. If you can think of someone right off the top of your head who you would like to see have a membership with this blog (ability to post scripts, ideas) please email me their address and I'll try to include them as well. I have included many already, I will let you know if I've already invited them. Again, welcome to the Idea Summit, a place for the convergence of people and ideas!