FAITHFULNESS!

We call him Prof.” That’s Professor Howard G. Hendricks. Prof is retiring. After 60 years (yes, SIXTY!) of teaching at Dallas Seminary, and in the process directly touching the lives of thousands of students, and indirectly, perhaps millions of Christians all over the world. One of his protégés said, “Prof is like a pebble thrown in a lake—the ripples just keep going outward.” This is a man whose fifth-grade teacher predicted he’d end up in prison! He didn’t.

The LORD preserves the faithful.
Psalm 31:23

For six decades, he has modeled integrity and probity to several generations of students. Faithfully.

“Only eternity will reveal all he’s done for the cause of Christ worldwide,” says Dr. Tony Evans. “I'm just honored to be one of the protégés.”

… it is required of stewards
that one be found faithful.
1 Corinthians 4:2

A good steward, indeed! Dallas Seminary Chancellor, Chuck Swindoll says of Prof, “He is the one man who has had the greatest impact on my entire life. And there is no doubt in my mind that since the late 1950s to the present day, no other teacher at DTS has been more influential to more of our graduates, or more magnetic to more potential students than Dr. Hendricks.”

Faithful. About 25 years ago, Dallas Seminary’s Center for Christian Leadership was founded—it was appropriately named after Howard G. Hendricks, the man with a passion for mentoring future Christian leaders.
Faithfully passing on the baton.

The things which you have
heard from me
in the presence of many witnesses,
entrust these to faithful men
who will be able
to teach others also.
2 Timothy 2:2

Fourteen years ago, an invasive cancer destroyed his eye and threatened more damage. Yet, Prof. continued to be a paragon of faithfulness. He declared: “Either God is sovereign or He is not. And, if He’s not, we’re in deep trouble. But I’m coming down on the side that He is.”

Faithful to his God.

Let us hold fast
the confession of our hope
without wavering,
for He who promised is faithful.
Hebrews 10:23

His fan mail during those dire days piled up over six feet in height—cards from all over the world, from people whose lives he had shaped.

Faithful. Like his Lord.

Therefore, He [Jesus]
had to be made like His brethren
… so that He might become
a merciful and faithful high priest
… to make atonement
for the sins of the people.
Hebrews 2:17

Last Saturday, at the Seminary’s Commencement Exercises, a special tribute was paid to this faithful man: he was awarded the Seminary’s Lifetime Achievement Award.

Faithful and blessed.

A faithful man
will abound with blessings.
Proverbs 28:20

A greater award awaits all those who are faithful—one from the Lord Jesus Christ Himself.

“His master said to him,
‘Well done, good and faithful slave.
… I will put you
in charge of many things;
enter into the joy of your master.’”
Matthew 25:21

In his note of thanks, last week, to the Seminary Faculty who had voted unanimously for Prof’s Award, he said, “One thing cheers me—that each of you will be doing the job which in our generation is critically significant. My prayers will be with you.”

May we be faithful, by His grace.

I thank Christ Jesus our Lord,
who has strengthened me,
because He considered me faithful,
putting me into service,
1 Timothy 1:12

May we be faithful—till the end.

Be faithful until death,
and I will give you the crown of life.
Revelation 2:10

Prof, thank you!

THANKS!

Yesterday another 400 of Dallas Seminary’s best graduated with Certificates of Graduate Studies, Master of Arts degrees, Master of Theology, Master of Sacred Theology, Doctor of Ministry, and Doctor of Philosophy. Commencement exercises were conducted at Prestonwood Baptist Church north of town. And I had the privilege of reading Scripture for the occasion. (Yup, that’s Prof. Howard Hendricks on the right, eye-patch and all—more about him next week.)

A friend of mine took this photo just after I had finished reading Psalm 100 during the ceremonies. At the end of the Psalm, I made the declaration that is customary when Scripture is read in public: “This is the Word of God.” And I went ahead and uttered the usual congregational response to that declaration as well: “Thanks be to God!”

Ted caught me just as I was speaking that last phrase: “Thanks be to God!”—the people of God thanking their God for the Word of God. (Thanks, Ted!)

Why thank God for His Word?

Sir Henry W. Baker (1861), in crisp poetic fashion, announced the many reasons for our gratitude to the Giver of the Word.

Lord, Thy Word abideth,
And our footsteps guideth;
Who its truth believeth
Light and joy receiveth.

Your word is a lamp to my feet
And a light to my path
Your word I have treasured in my heart,
That I may not sin against You.
Psalm 119:105, 11

When our foes are near us,
Then Thy Word doth cheer us,
Word of consolation,
Message of salvation.

Many are my persecutors
and my adversaries,
Yet I do not turn aside
from Your testimonies.
My soul languishes
for Your salvation;
I wait for Your word.
Psalm 119:157, 81

When the storms are o’er us,
And dark clouds before us,
Then its light directeth,
And our way protecteth.

My soul weeps because of grief;
Strengthen me
according to Your word.
If Your law had not been my delight,
Then I would have perished
in my affliction.
Psalm 119:28, 92

Who can tell the pleasure,
Who recount the treasure,
By Thy Word imparted
To the simple hearted?

How sweet are Your words
to my taste!
Yes, sweeter than honey
to my mouth!
I have rejoiced in the way
of Your testimonies,
As much as in all riches.
Psalm 119:103, 14

Word of mercy, giving
Succor to the living;
Word of life, supplying
Comfort to the dying!

This is my comfort in my affliction,
That Your word has revived me.
Trouble and anguish
have come upon me,
Yet Your commandments
are my delight.
Psalm 119:50, 143

O that we, discerning,
Its most holy learning,
Lord, may love and fear Thee,
Evermore be near Thee!

Give me understanding,
that I may observe Your law
And keep it with all my heart.
How blessed are those
who observe His testimonies,
Who seek Him with all their heart.
Psalm 119:34, 2

And so it is good and proper for all of God’s people to be thankful to Him for Scripture—the beautiful and wonderful words of life.

I shall give thanks to You
with uprightness of heart,
When I learn
Your righteous judgments.
At midnight I shall rise
to give thanks to You
Because of Your righteous ordinances.
Psalm 119:7, 62

While the people of God are to be thankful for everything, this is a good reminder: For his Word, too, we must give thanks. Let’s not forget to do that, shall we?

I shall delight in Your statutes;
I shall not forget Your word.
Psalm 119:16

“This is the Word of God.”
“Thanks be to God!”

Indeed!

SOURCE!

Eleven days ago, BP’s Transocean Deepwater Horizon drilling rig, 130 miles off the Louisiana coast, sank after a fiery explosion. Of the 126 workers on board, eleven people were killed, and about 20 injured. And the catastrophe continues. Crude oil has been leaking into the Gulf of Mexico, threatening an environmental disaster of massive proportions, risking beaches, fragile marshes, oyster beds, marine mammals, fishing grounds …. Earlier estimates put the leak at at least 1.6 million gallons of oil—promising to eclipse the 1989 Exxon Valdez disaster. The slick has continued to grow, tripling in size, fed from the sea depths; at least 5,000 barrels (about 200,000 gallons) are leaking out daily. The messy stuff is slowly moving towards the coasts of Lousiana, Alabama, Mississippi, and Florida. Not surprisingly, last week BP’s stock dropped 12%, a gigantic wipe-out of over $20 billion of the energy titan’s value. President Obama is visiting the region today.

Over 2,000 personnel and volunteers are involved in the response effort. About 300,000 feet of booms have been laid to contain the spill. To date, 25,000 barrels of the oil-water sludge has been recovered. Sixty-odd response vessels, including skimmers, tugs, barges, etc., have been deployed. Over 150,000 gallons of dispersant have been thrown at the oil.

Coast Guard Admiral Thad Allen, appointed by the federal government to lead the oil spill response, agreed yesterday that it was impossible to give an accurate estimate of the volume of oil leaking from the ruptured well—located about a mile underwater. As bad as the oil spill looks on the surface, it may be only half the problem, said University of California Berkeley engineering professor Robert Bea, who serves on a National Academy of Engineering panel on oil pipeline safety. “There’s an equal amount that could be subsurface too,” said Bea. And that oil below the surface “is *&$# near impossible to track.”

To stop that surge at its source, Adm. Allen maintained, was their top priority. Underwater robots are now trying to shoot dispersants right into the site of the leak, even as other remote devices attempt to cap the origin. No progress has been made so far, he admitted.

Getting the leak at its source. No amount of buring off the oil on the surface or scattering dispersants on the sea water will control the gush. It’s source must be cut off deep down.

That’s true of the evil in our lives as well, isn’t it? Jesus would agree:

“For from within,
out of the heart of men,
proceed the evil thoughts,
immoralities, thefts,
murders, adulteries,
deeds of coveting, wickedness,
deceit, sensuality, envy, slander,
pride and foolishness.
All these evil things
proceed from within
and defile the person.”
Mark 7:21–23

The prophet Jeremiah moaned that …

“The heart is more deceitful
than all else
and is desperately sick.”
Jeremiah 17:9

And so the Psalmist prayed …

Create in me a clean heart, O God,
And renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Psalm 51:10

Get it at its source! And may all the rubbish that is in the depths of our deceitful hearts be replaced by the Word of God. For then, …

I delight to do Your will,
O my God;
Your Law is within my heart."
Psalm 40:8

And we become, and remain …

… slaves of Christ,
doing the will of God from the heart.
Ephesians 6:6

Get it at its source!

Now flee from youthful lusts
and pursue righteousness,
faith, love and peace, with those
who call on the Lord from a pure heart.
2 Timothy 2:22

Let’s cap that leaky well!

WHAT?

Did you know that 20% of the folks in Britain think that “haggis” is an animal that roams the Scottish Highlands? That’s what a survey done last week declared, as reported by Reuters. The study was commissioned by the online carry-out food service, Just-Eat.co.uk.

For those Americans who don’t know what a “haggis” is, (and who also suspect, with the aforementioned 20% of Brits, that this is a rare beast that dwells on a hilltop) here goes: “Haggis is a dish containing sheep’s ‘pluck’ (heart, liver and lungs), minced with onion, oatmeal, suet, spices, and salt, mixed with stock, and traditionally simmered in the animal's stomach for approximately three hours.” That’s what Wikipedia tells us. The photo shows an intact specimen. (For my personal experience with this Scottish delicacy, see here.)

Just-Eat requisitioned the opinions of 1,623 of the good people from all across the U.K. to discover their acquaintance with traditional Scottish culinary fare. Obviously, they weren’t acquainted at all. (Of course, not! Not in a land where the national dish is an Indian concoction—chicken tikka masala! BTW, the adventurous can procure a “haggis bhaji” or “haggis samosa”—a deep fried variant of the Scottish dish—in Indian restaurants in dodgy parts of Scotland!)

15% of those 1,623 claimed “haggis” was a Scottish musical instrument. Maybe they thought it was Gaelic for “bagpipes.” Some (4%) even asserted that “haggis” was a character from the Harry Potter series. Close. That was “Hagrid.”

What was even more suprising was that 14% of 781 Scottish folks surveyd did not know what “haggis” was. Yup, 14% of Scots had no clue. And “haggis” is the national dish of Scotland.

I wonder how many of us who call ourselves “Christian” can say what exactly that species of humankind is.

Nope, it’s not inherited in one’s genes. Nope, it’s not by virtue of citizenship in so-called “Christian nations.” Nope, it’s not because I go to church on Sundays and even given them my money. Nope, it’s not adherence to a system. Nor is it to help the poor and needy. In fact, there is nothing—nothing!—one can do to be a Christian.

He saved us, not on the basis of deeds
which we have done in righteousness,
but according to His mercy ….
Titus 3:5

Well, then, what is it to be a “Christian”?

To be a “Christian” is to be one who, because he or she has believed in Jesus Christ as their only God and Savior, has had his or her sins forgiven as a result of Jesus’ death and resurrection, and has thus become a child of God, and part of the people of God.

But as many as received Him [Jesus],
to them He gave the right
to become children of God,
—to those who believe in His name.
John 1:12

Nope, nothing you can do to be Christian. One must simply believe, in faith, placing their trust in Jesus Christ for salvation from sin.

For God so loved the world,
that He gave His only begotten Son,
that whoever believes in Him
shall not perish, but have eternal life.
John 3:16

That is what it means to be a Christian. One becomes a Christian not by doing something, but by believing Someone—one who died on the cross to pay the price of our sins, fully and finally.

For by grace you have been
saved through faith;
and that not of yourselves,
it is the gift of God;
not as a result of works ….
Ephesians 2:8–9

It’s a free gift! Will you take it?

SMOKE!

Last week, one of Iceland’s volcanoes, Eyjafjallajökull (what a terrific name!), blew its top, sending smoke and ash 6 miles high. As far as volcanoes go, this one is not a biggie, but it happened over some of the world’s busiest airspaces. The stuff, consisting of minute particles of rock akin to glass, once sucked into an airplane’s engines can congeal, causing disastrous failure. And what’s more, this ash cannot be spotted by weather radar. Which spelled inordinate vexation for all of Europe. A smoky disaster!

A normal Saturday would have had 22,000 flights in Europe, but yesterday there were only 5,000. Canceled flights are costing carriers $200 million a day. A spokesman for the International Air Transport Association said it could easily hit a billion dollars’ loss in revenue this week. Not to mention the economic repercussions related to air cargo shipments—everything from fresh fruits and flowers to microchips and mail is affected. Add to that, the hundreds of thousands of people stranded in some airport missing work. Even routine diplomacy got scuttled, evidenced in the dwindling guest list of dignitaries attending Polish President Kaczynski’s state funeral today. Then there is the potential of all of this ash coming down to terra firma and into the lungs of humans and animals …. A smoky disaster, indeed!

Hopefully the smoke-spewing creature will go back to sleep soon, leaving us all alone. But one can’t be too sure. The last eruption of Eyjafjallajökull in December 1821 didn’t subside until January 1823. May that not happen again!

Smoke. In the Bible, more often than not, smoke is frequently pictured in relation to some activity of God.

Now Mount Sinai was all in smoke
because the LORD
descended upon it in fire;
and its smoke ascended
like the smoke of a furnace.
Exodus 19:18

Smoke seems to indicate His presence.

I saw the Lord sitting on a throne,
lofty and exalted, with
the train of His robe filling the temple.
“Holy, Holy, Holy, is the LORD of hosts,
The whole earth is full of His glory.”
And the foundations of the thresholds
trembled … while the temple
was filling with smoke.
Isaiah 6:1, 3–4

It is likely that it symbolizes God’s holiness. It also indicates God’s wrath against sin.

And the foundations of the
mountains were trembling and
were shaken, because He was angry.
Smoke went up out of His nostrils,
And fire from His mouth devoured.
Psalm 18:7–8

And so smoke shows up in God’s judgment of evil as well.

And the smoke of their torment
goes up forever and ever;
they have no rest day and night,
those who worship the beast ….
Revelation 14:11

I suspect its connection to God’s holiness is why the smoke of sacrifices pleases a holy God, an oft-repeated theme in Leviticus.

And the priest shall offer up in smoke
all of it [the sacrificial animal]
on the altar for a burnt offering,
… a soothing aroma to the LORD.
Leviticus 1:9

Smoke, a soothing aroma.

But, no more. A greater sacrifice, the Perfect Sacrifice has been made, this one never to be repeated.

For if the blood of goats and bulls
and the ashes of a heifer … sanctify …,
how much more will the blood of Christ,
who … offered Himself
without blemish to God?
Hebrews 9:13–14

The price for sin has been paid fully, finally, and forever. And for those placing their trust in Jesus Christ as their only God and Savior, sin is no longer an issue between them and God.

Praise God—no more smoke!

LEADERS!

Yesterday, a national tragedy struck Poland. A plane crash took the lives of Polish President Lech Kaczynski (and his wife, Maria) and a number of Poland’s elite: 96 of them were killed when an aging Russian Tupolev aircraft plunged into a forest in Smolensk, in Western Russia. Perhaps the worst disaster for Poland since World War II.

The Prime Minister of Poland, Donald Tusk, wept when he heard the news. Thousands of Poles were laying flowers and candles, and praying around the presidential palace in central Warsaw. Flags were lowered to half-mast. The nation proclaimed a week of national grief. Twenty monks rang the Zygmunt bell at Krakow’s Wawel cathedral, the traditional burial site of Polish kings of the past—a tolling reserved for times of profound grief and loss.

Among the dead yesterday were, besides the President, Poland’s army Chief of Staff, the commander of the navy, and heads of the air and land forces, the Central Banker, deputy Foreign Minister, deputy Parliament Speaker, several members of parliament, Olympic Committee head, Civil Rights Commisioner, bishops, …. A ravaging of the upper echelons of Poland’s leadership.

Loss of leaders.

I’ve often wondered what it must have felt like for the early church to lose its leaders, not to old age and decrepitude, but to murder.

James the Greater (one of the sons of Zebedee), beheaded by Herod Agrippa I in 44 AD. James the Just (the brother of Jesus) and leader of the church in Jerusalem, stoned to death in 62 AD. The apostle Peter crucified (upside down, tradition says) in Rome in the late 60s AD. Paul beheaded, around the same time, and in the same place. And whenever and wherever the church has been persecuted, such tragedies have continued to (and continue to) occur. A ravaging of leadership.

But the church is never left rudderless.

… the gates of Hades
will not overpower [the church].
Matthew 16:18

Another generation of leaders there always will be. Indeed, a key goal of growth into maturity is so that there will always be leaders. Or perhaps, it should be stated the other way round: leaders are those who have grown into maturity. And thus one might well say that the criteria for leaders are the benchmarks of maturity.

Certainly, the mark of growth is Christlikeness.

… the building up of the body of Christ;
until we all attain to … a mature man,
to the measure of the stature
which belongs to the fullness of Christ.
Ephesians 4:13

And, of course, this Christlikeness will be manifest in the “fruit” the Holy Spirit produces.

… the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy,
peace, patience, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, gentleness, self-control ….
Galatians 5:22–23

But I submit that the leadership qualifications in the New Testament are also yardsticks of maturity, norms to which all—yes, all believers—are expected to attain.

Loyal to spouse, temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not addicted to intoxicants, gentle, uncontentious, free from the love of money, a good manager of the household, not a new convert, one with a good reputation outside the church, not self-willed or quick-tempered, loving what is good, just, devout, holding fast the faithful word, and above reproach.
1 Timothy 3:1–7; Titus 1:5–9

Let’s all press on … to leadership. Let’s excel!

… we request and exhort you
in the Lord Jesus,
that as you received from us
instruction as to how you ought
to walk and please God …
that you excel still more.
1 Thessalonians 4:1

The church ravaged of leaders? Never!

BLUES?

That picture was in front of the House of Blues in New Orleans, one of 12 similar live concert halls and restaurants all across the United States. This one delivers not only blues but also southern cuisine—“where music and food feed the soul.”

“In Blues we trust!”

The blues, of course, is a musical genre with unclear origins, linked to folk music, spirituals, shouts, and chants, that came about primarily from within African-American communities in the South toward the latter part of the 19th century.

The term likely refers to “blue devils,” that cause melancholy and sadness and the musical form often has lyrics that connote depression and loss. As one musicologist wrote, the loose narrative of the blues enabled the singer to voice personal woes in a world of harsh reality—“a lost love, the cruelty of police officers, oppression at the hands of white folk, hard times.” “Blue” has made its way into dictionaries to indicate gloom and dejection.

So why trust in blues?

Doesn’t sound to me like something to trust in! Who cares to be sad, melancholic, dark, and saturnine? Prozac, no wonder, is the best-selling drug in the history of pharmaceutical industry. In 2006, over 200 million antidepressant prescriptions were handed over to Americans. Zoloft’s American sales ($3 billion in 2005) exceeds that of Tide detergent. And in the UK, the total cost of depression and its treatment amounted, a few years ago, to more than £5 billion.

Trust in blues?

With all the bad news around the world and in our own lives, a blue mood seems to be justified. In fact, ever since the Fall of man, there has only been one bit of Good News. Only one.

He has risen!
Mark 16:6

He conquered death …

… Christ, having been
raised from the dead,
is never to die again;
death no longer is master over Him.
Romans 6:9

He conquered sin …

O Death, where is your victory? ...
The sting of death is sin, …
but thanks be to God,
who gives us the victory
through our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 15:55–57

He conquered Satan …

… the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
who is at the right hand of God,
having gone into heaven,
after angels and authorities
and powers had been subjected to Him.
1 Peter 3:21–22

That’s the Good News—the only Good News.

Now I make known to you, brethren,
the Good News ….
that Christ died for our sins
according to the Scriptures,
and that He was buried,
and that He was raised
on the third day…
1 Corinthians 15:1, 3–4

Why be blue?

God sent His Son, they called Him Jesus;
He came to love, heal, and forgive;
He lived and died to buy my pardon,
An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives!

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,
Because He lives, all fear is gone;
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living,
Just because He lives!

And then one day, I'll cross the river,
I'll fight life's final war with pain;
And then, as death gives way to vict’ry,
I'll see the lights of glory and I'll know He lives!

William and Gloria Gaither, 1971

No more blues!

Blessed be the God and Father
of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who according to His great mercy
has caused us to be born again
to a living hope
through the resurrection
of Jesus Christ from the dead.
1 Peter 1:3

Happy Easter! No more blues. We don’t trust in them!

DETERRENT!

There is an aged and wrinkled and water-damaged sign posted on one of the walls of the quadrangle in King’s College at the University of Aberdeen (King’s is the HQ of the Department of Divinity and Religious Studies at ye olde university). The notice spells out dire consequences for students caught violating the norms proper to the decorum of that venerable institution. And, yes, the sign belongs to those days of shillings and pence—thus making the sign potentially as old as 1066 (when the pound was divided into 20 shillings = 240 pence = 960 farthings), but more likely as recent as 1971 (when the pound was decimalized into 100 pence).

At any rate, the sign is intended to act as a deterrent. Those monies levied as fines upon unthinking miscreants would, one assumes (and hopes), prevent any future felonies of this sort.

Even God doesn’t hesitate to apply deterrents to keep His children upon the straight and narrow.

The Book of Hebrews talks extensively about God’s discipline.

“My son, do not regard lightly
the discipline of the Lord,
nor faint when you are
reproved by Him;
for those whom the Lord loves
He disciplines, and He scourges
every son whom He receives.”
It is for discipline that you endure;
God deals with you as with children;
for what child is there
whom his father does not discipline?
… He disciplines us for our good,
so that we may share His holiness.
All discipline for the moment
seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful;
yet to those who have been trained by it,
afterwards it yields
the peaceful fruit of righteousness.
Hebrews 12:5–7, 10–11

That pattern has been integral to biblical history, ever since the warning to Adam and Eve.

The LORD God
commanded the man, saying,
“From any tree of the garden
you may eat freely; but from the tree
of the knowledge of good and evil
you shall not eat,
for in the day that you eat from it
you will surely die.”
Genesis 2:16–17

And such deterrents have persisted all the way to warnings of eternal death, away from the presence of God who alone is Life—serious warnings for those who don’t find salvation in Jesus Christ.

For God so loved the world,
that He gave His only begotten Son,
that whoever believes in Him
shall not perish, but have eternal life.
John 3:16

Nothing wrong with deterrents. They are quite efficient. Like those promulgated by civic governments to induce good behavior of their citizens.

[Governmental authority]
is a minister of God to you for good.
But if you do what is evil, be afraid;
for it does not
bear the sword for nothing;
for it is a minister of God,
an avenger who brings wrath
on the one who practices evil.
Romans 13:4

And like those deterrents imposed by parents upon their children to promote obedience.

Do not hold back discipline
from the child.
Proverbs 23:13

God, the ultimate authority, greater than any parent or any ruler, chooses to work the same way. He, too, announces discipline to correct wayward ones, to induce them to walk in His ways.

For the commandment is a lamp
and the teaching is light;
And reproofs for discipline
are the way of life.
Proverbs 6:23

And so we reproved ones accept discipline as a mark of our Father’s love and of His desire that we be godly and wise. For our own good

… accept discipline,
That you may be wise
the rest of your days.
Proverbs 19:20

Let God’s deterrents deter us.

HEALTH!

These past several weeks pundits and scribes and hosts and anchors and Pharisees and Sadducees and Democrats and Republicans have been talking about nothing but healthcare. No doubt important, I know—I’m involved in the very business, myself. Thus far, by the grace of God, I’ve been involved only at the giving end of that enterprise.

Yes, healthcare is critically important. For all of us. If we are not already seeking and receiving it acutely or chronically, either for ourselves or for our near and dear, it will only be a matter of time before we do. It is important.

Over the last decade or thereabouts that I’ve taught preaching at Dallas Seminary, I’ve been struck by the number of times the Book of Proverbs mentions health. (Students in our first preaching class have to preach selected verses from that book, and at least a few of these selections deal with health.)

“Of course,” most people say, “those are ‘just’ proverbs: general statements, true more often than not, but they aren’t promises or anything of the sort.”

My son, do not forget my teaching,
But let your heart
keep my commandments;
For length of days and years of life
And peace they will add to you.
Proverbs 3:1–2

So here I’m supposed believe that, generally speaking, if one listens to godly advice from an elder/parent/mentor, one will live long—occasionally, sometimes, perhaps, and hopefully.

The fear of the LORD
is the beginning of wisdom ….
For by me your days will be multiplied,
And years of life will be added to you.
Proverbs 9:10–11

Or if I fear the Lord, I’ll have—more or less, hitting or missing, now and then, from time to time—a long life.

But I’ve never been very satisfied with that rationalization.

Instead, I like to look at it this way: these proverbs—not any ol’ proverb—these inspired proverbs that form the Word of God are always true. How, you ask? I’d argue that fearing the Lord, for one thing, always contributes to a longer life. How much it contributes, I’ve no clue. But it does contribute something, even if it is a few microseconds to my life or anyone else’s. Absolutely!

And so do other things: good genes, exercise, healthy diets, sound relationships, careful driving, listening to Bach—all contribute, to some degree, to a longer life … as far as we know.

But Proverbs 14:27 is different: Fearing the Lord also contributes—in some way, but always—to lengthening one’s life. Not “as far as we know,” but always, for “thus saith the Lord.”

What else? What else provides for good health in Proverbs? Here we go—an inspired plan for healthcare …

Keeping good company.

He who walks with wise men
will be wise,
But the companion of fools
will suffer harm.
Proverbs 13:20

Being humble.

The reward of humility …
riches, honor and life.
Proverbs 22:4

Being wise in the ways of God and in the Word of God.

How blessed is the one
who finds wisdom
And the one
who gains understanding.
Long life is in her right hand ….
Proverbs 3:13, 16

Living uprightly.

He who pursues
righteousness and loyalty
Finds life, righteousness and honor.
Proverbs 21:21

Not oppressing the weak.

Do not rob the poor
because he is poor,
Or crush the afflicted ….
or the LORD will plead their case
And take the life
of those who rob them.
Proverbs 22:22–23

Healthcare, God’s way. After all, He ought to know—the Great Physician! Let’s vote for that plan today, shall we?

IMPACT!

Nope, this is not in the Netherlands. Believe it or not, this is 6000+ miles from that country. In Malacca, Malaysia—I was there last year. Why a windmill there, you ask? Simple answer: impact!

The history of Malacca goes back to the 1400s and has changed hands several times—from the Javanese to the Portuguese to the Dutch to the British and finally to the Malaysians. The windmill is a remnant of the town’s Dutch colonial days, that lasted for about two centuries, until Malacca was assigned to the British in the early 1800s.

In fact, in the center of Malacca is the “Dutch” Square, a familiar and popular tourist landmark. There is even a “Stadthuys” (State House) there, where the Dutch governor lived. And a majestic Christ Church (completed 1753), which used to be Dutch Reformed in inclination, until the British made it Anglican. That church is supposedly the oldest Dutch church building found outside the Netherlands; memorial plaques within pay tribute to the various de Winds, Westerhouts, Neubronners, Koeks, etc.

Far, far away from the fatherland, but still with an impact that has been longlasting. And there, close to the Dutch Square is this fascinating windmill, a memoir of bygone days, a vestige of what was. Nonetheless it signifies an impact left on the town by a powerful influence in its past.

The other day, I mentioned the “redwoods” in our lives and the legacy they left for us. That relay race doesn’t stop there. The baton doesn’t end its journey when it is handed over to us. Who are we going to pass it on to? What impact will we have for those running the next lap.

For those of you who are married, the identity of the next generation is obvious.

For I am mindful of the
sincere faith within you,
which first dwelt
in your grandmother Lois
and your mother Eunice ….
2 Timothy 1:5

Paul clearly acknowledges and commends the impact of parents and grandparents upon posterity.

You, however, continue
in the things you have learned
and become convinced of,
knowing from whom
you have learned them,
and that from childhood
you have known the sacred writings
which are able to give you
the wisdom that leads to salvation
through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
2 Timothy 3:14–15

For those of us singles, our impact will be upon spiritual children, not our physical ones. In fact, God promises a significant and lasting impact for those celibates who serve Him.

[To those singles who] choose
what pleases Me,
and hold fast My covenant,
to them I will give in My house
and within My walls a memorial,
and a name better than that
of sons and daughters;
I will give them
an everlasting name
which will not be cut off.
Isaiah 56:4–5

Paul makes his own impact clear, “mothering” and “fathering” those he mentored.

But we proved to be
gentle among you,
as a nursing mother
tenderly cares for her own children.
Having so fond an affection for you,
we were well-pleased to impart to you
not only the gospel of God
but also our own lives ….
… you know how we were exhorting
and encouraging and imploring
each one of you as a father
would his own children,
so that you would walk in a manner
worthy of the God who calls you
into His own kingdom and glory.
1 Thessalonians 2:7–8, 11–12

Not just enough to thank the redwoods in our lives; we must be redwoods ourselves and leave an impact. Let’s go raise those windmills!

LEGACY!

Last summer, I spent a week speaking at a Christian Camp in Mt. Hermon, near San Jose, CA. In the midst of preaching endeavors, I managed to steal some time and do some exploring of the area nearby, and ended up in Henry Cowell Redwood State Park.

Sequoia sempervirens is what they’re called. “Sempervirens” means “ever-living” or “evergreen.” That’s about right—these babies have long lives and have been known to live for over 2000 years. And are they big, or what? One of the tallest of the species (not in Henry Cowell) has attained 380 ft. in height and 26 ft in diameter. Massive.

One of the reasons for their longevity is the thickness of their bark, almost a foot thick. This combined with the foliage that begins high above the ground, provides them with plenty of protection from fire and insects.

Solid. Substantial. Long-lived. Blessed!

Blessed is the one
who trusts in the LORD ….
For he will be like a tree
planted by the water,
That extends its roots by a stream
And will not fear
when the heat comes;
But its leaves will be green,
And it will not be anxious
in a year of drought
Nor cease to yield fruit.
Jeremiah 17:7–8

Flourishing. Prospering. In the presence of God.

The godly will flourish
like the palm tree,
He will grow
like a cedar in Lebanon.
Planted in the house of the LORD,
They will flourish
in the courts of our God.
Psalm 92:12–13

Those coastal redwoods are known to reproduce asexually by sprouting from fallen parts of the tree. Not rarely, when a tree falls over, it regenerates a line of daughters arrayed along the horizontal trunk. Daughters (why not sons?) also sprout around the mama tree stump—producing a “fairy ring” of trees. More redwoods.

Solid. Substantial. Long-lived. Blessed!

Flourishing. Prospering. In the presence of God.

Leaving a legacy for others.

How blessed is everyone
who fears the LORD,
Who walks in His ways.
When you shall eat of the fruit
of your hands,
You will be happy
and it will be well with you.
Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine
Within your house,
Your children like olive plants
Around your table.
Behold, for thus shall the man
be blessed who fears the LORD.
The LORD bless you from Zion,
And may you see the prosperity
of Jerusalem all the days of your life.
Indeed, may you see
your children's children.
Peace be upon Israel!
Psalm 128:1–6

It is very likely that all of us believers are standing on the shoulders of such “redwoods,” “cedars,” and “palm trees” that have left a legacy. Of course there are innumerable saints of yesteryear, whom we only know by name: the first disciples, the church fathers, thoughtful theologians, faithful servants and martyrs, ….

We must be thankful for them, of course, those invisible witnesses cheering us on.

Therefore, since we have so great
a cloud of witnesses surrounding us,
let us also lay aside
every encumbrance
and the sin which so easily entangles us,
and let us run with endurance
the race that is set before us.
Hebrews 12:1

But what about those stellar specimens of flora and arbor that we know, that are familiar to us personally, that have invested in our lives?

Remember those who led you,
who spoke the word of God to you;
and considering
the result of their conduct,
imitate their faith.
Hebrews 13:7

Remember … and would you thank them this week? The redwoods of our lives!

RECORD!

If you are into sporting events, you’ve probably been concentrating on the ice and snow antics in Vancouver. For those of you who are not attuned to the niceties of differentiating between a silly point, fine leg, and long on, you probably missed it, not being among the 2 billion who follow cricket. India’s Sachin Tendulkar scored 200 runs in a one-day international last week. This momentous event, against a formidable foe—South Africa, ranked #2 in the world (India is #1)—has been equated to Roger Bannister breaking the 4-minute-mile barrier in 1954.

Tendulkar got his double-century in 147 balls (or “pitches”), a hitting rate of 136.5. Astounding! His millions of fans call him “The Little Master”: he is only 5’5”, but a giant in every form of the game. There is hardly a record he hasn’t broken, having scored over 30,000 runs in international cricket. Tendulkar has also attained India’s second-highest civilian honor, the Padma Vibhushan award.

The day after Tendulkar’s incredible knock last week, one of India’s dailies had this picture on its front page, with the attribution, “God.”

He has certainly made my cricket-watching exhilarating, and I am thankful to Tendulkar for those pleasures and for going where no man has yet gone. But “God”? I don’t think so.

Someone else went further paving the way to God.

Jesus said …, “I am the way,
and the truth, and the life;
no one comes to the Father
but through Me.”
John 14:6

Like Bannister’s, Tendulkar’s record, too, will probably be broken. At a post-game press conference, the latter acknowledged: “Records are made to be broken and I would like to see an Indian breaking this record.” But there is one Record no one can break.

And there is salvation in no one else;
for there is no other name under heaven
that has been given among men
by which we must be saved.
Acts 4:12

The Times of India proclaimed in the same vein: “Immortal at 200!” Perhaps—as far as idioms go and cricket is concerned. But there is someone else who is not only immortal, but eternal.

… our Savior Christ Jesus,
who abolished death
and brought life ….
2 Timothy 1:10

Another writer mentioned putting Tendulkar in Tiger Woods’ league. I beg to differ. Tendulkar’s character has been irreproachable both on and off the field. But there was yet Another who was absolutely perfect!

Christ … offered Himself
without blemish to God ….
Hebrews 9:14

Former Indian cricket captain Sunil Gavaskar, himself quite a legend, exclaimed, “I would really like to bend down and touch [Tendulkar’s] feet”—a gesture of reverent homage. One day, though, another One will receive reverent homage, homage worthy of the King of kings and Lord of lords.

… at the name of Jesus
every knee will bow,
those who are in heaven and on earth
and under the earth,
and … every tongue will confess
that Jesus Christ is Lord ….
Philippians 2:10–11

The cricket correspondent for The Hindustan Times wrote: “It’s never a good idea to try and speak for a whole nation. But on Wednesday it was a risk worth taking. ‘To Sachin Tendulkar … two words will suffice: Thank you.’”

We, though, will be eternally grateful to the other Record-Breaker par excellence, eternal, spotless, and worthy of adoration.

Thanks be to God
for His indescribable gift!
2 Corinthians 9:15

The gift of Jesus Christ and the eternal life He offers to all those who trust Him, by faith, for the forgiveness of their sins.

He, and He alone, is God!

LIGHTHOUSE!

That’s a lighthouse on the Isle of Skye, in Scotland, warning sailors of a treacherous coastline and a hazardous reef.

These structures have become icons in narrative and lore, symbolic of safety, beacons shining for the welfare of the public, revealing things honest, just, pure, and good. They appear on license plates, logos of organizations, in songs, poems, and movies. And, despite the advent of electronic navigational aids that have rendered lighthouses a thing of the past, they remain popular tourist attractions. There’s something fascinating about a lighthouse.

Dwight L. Moody, the famous evangelist and preacher of yesteryear (1837–1899), once said: “A holy life will make the deepest impression. Lighthouses blow no horns, they just shine.”

Lighthouses just shine! That’s what Christians are called to do: shine. Shine … to manifest what?

A long time ago (1648), the Westminster Shorter Catechism declared: “The chief end of man is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever.” That’s the chief end of mankind—to shine forth God’s glory. That’s what believers are called to do: “shine God’s glory”!

Shout joyfully to God, all the earth;
Sing the glory of His name;
Make His praise glorious.
Psalm 66:1–2

“Shining God’s glory” is appropriate, because there is something splendorous, brilliant, fiery, and effulgent about God’s glory.

The glory of the LORD
rested on Mount Sinai ….
And to the eyes of the sons of Israel
the appearance of the glory of the LORD
was like a consuming fire
on the mountain top.
Exodus 24:16–17

Fiery glory. Brilliant glory. Radiant glory. Dazzling glory.

So how does one “shine God’s glory”?

Ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.
Ascribe to the LORD
the glory due to His name;
Worship the LORD in holy array.
Psalm 29:1–2

So here’s an axiom: Our lighthouse-function is to “shine God’s glory” by conforming to His holiness. The apostle Peter agrees.

But you are a chosen race,
a royal priesthood, a holy nation, …
so that you may
proclaim the excellencies of Him
who has called you out of darkness
into His marvelous light.
1 Peter 2:9

That’s what we have been called to do: to proclaim His excellencies, i.e., to “shine God’s glory” by being like Him in his holiness.

… He chose us …
that we would be holy
and blameless before Him.
Ephesians 1:4

And that’s how God intends for Himself to be glorified—by His holiness being displayed, “shined” forth. Holiness is the consistent way in which God’s glory is manifest.

I will show myself holy
among those who are near me,
and before all the people
I will be glorified.
Leviticus 10:3

We are to be shining for His glory, by being holy. Always. Everywhere.

So whether you eat or drink
or whatever you do,
do it all for the glory of God.
1 Corinthians 10:31

We lighthouses have our work cut out for us, don’t we?

… like the Holy One who called you,
be holy yourselves also
in all your behavior.
1 Peter 1:15

And thus we shall be lighthouses to a dark world—symbolic of safety, beacons of truth, glorifying God.

“You are the light of the world.
A city set on a hill cannot be hidden;
nor does anyone light a lamp
and put it under a basket,
but on the lampstand ….
Let your light shine
before men in such a way
that they may see your good works,
and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”
Matthew 5:14–16

Let’s keep those lights burning, for God’s glory!

SNOW!

Yup! It snowed here last week, creating a 24-hour snowfall record, over 12.5 inches, breaking the 1964 record of 12.1 inches. About 200,000 homes left in the dark. About 1,500 flights canceled in DFW and other airports in the south.

Snow everywhere. Icy roads. Dallas Seminary canceled classes Thursday evening and all day Friday. (It was, however, fun to see the children in the Seminary community frolicking outdoors all bundled up, making snowmen around the campus!).

Snow. Frozen water crystals. Each flake with roughly 10¹⁸ molecules of water, give or take a few billion, depending on temperature and humidity. And growing in clouds by the impressively named Wegener-Bergeron-Findeison process which, I am happy to confess I know nothing about, and which, I am even more happy to leave to atmospheric scientists to comprehend. All I know is that snow causes some eerie lighting effects. That photo was taken from the balcony of my townhome around midnight three days ago. Everything was white and bright, with the crystalline structure of snow diffusely reflecting the whole spectrum of lamplight, causing it all to look a brilliant, if eerie, bluish white—snow white!

It all looked so … so clean!

No wonder the writers of Scripture used snow as a metaphor for cleansing from sin.

David pleaded, after his egregious activities in 2 Samuel 11–12—adultery and murder.

Purify me with hyssop,
and I shall be clean;
Wash me,
and I shall be whiter than snow.
Psalm 51:7

He was right. Only God can purify. Only God can wash. And only God can wash as white as snow.

“Come now …,”
says the LORD,
“Though your sins are as scarlet,
They will be as white as snow;
Though they are red like crimson,
They will be like wool.”
Isaiah 1:18

Yes, they will. And, yes, God can cleanse.

For God demonstrates
His own love toward us,
in that while we were yet sinners,
Christ died for us.
Romans 5:8

And taking our place, Jesus paid for our sins, fully and finally and forever. And for those who place their trust in Jesus Christ as their only God and Savior, eternal life is guaranteed.

For God so loved the world,
that He gave His only begotten Son,
that whoever believes in Him
shall not perish, but have eternal life.
John 3:16

Sins gone. Hearts cleansed. No longer scarlet. But white as snow.

Have you been to Jesus
for the cleansing power?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
Are you fully trusting in His grace this hour?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?

Are you washed in the blood,
In the soul cleansing blood of the Lamb?
Are your garments spotless?
Are they white as snow?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?

Lay aside the garments that are stained with sin, And be washed in the blood of the Lamb;
There’s a fountain flowing
for the soul unclean,
O be washed in the blood of the Lamb!
Elisha Hoffman, 1878

Indeed, the Bible describes God Himself wearing garments as white as snow.

I kept looking until thrones were set up,
And the Ancient of Days took His seat;
His vesture was like white snow.
Daniel 7:9

Wow! In some way, we get to be like Him. His clothing ours! We are granted God’s purity and righteousness.

He made Him who knew no sin
to be sin on our behalf,
so that we might become
the righteousness of God in Him.
2 Corinthians 5:21

We did. We became … white as snow. Praise God!

LANDMARK!

Last year, it was nice to spend a Dallas summer in a part of the world that was in winter. Not much of a winter, though, just comfortably mild, a tad brisk. Down Under. Mostly in Sydney.

One of the highlights was a boat ride around the Sydney harbor. A delightful experience. Especially to see the landmark that distinguishes the harbor: Sydney Opera House. Jørn Utzon’s masterpiece is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and an iconic building, indeed, that marks not only harbor, but also city, country, nation, and continent. A landmark!

What marks us as Christians? What stands out as our “landmark”? What is the defining characteristic of the disciple?

In Mark 8, Jesus gives the first of his three Passion Predictions.

And He began to teach them
that the Son of Man must suffer
many things and be rejected …
and be killed,
and after three days rise again.
Mark 8:31

That was Jesus mission—His suffering mission, underscoring the theme of Mark that discipleship is a call to glory … by way of suffering. But Peter, the disciple, doesn’t care for that modus operandi.

And Peter took Him aside
and began to rebuke Him.
Mark 8:32

Hey, come here a minute, Jesus! What’s all this stuff about dying? Rubbish! That’s not what kings do. They come to conquer their capitals, capture their palaces, and occupy their thrones. Not die! Here, Jesus, let me tell you exactly what to do. Rocky [aka Peter] here’s got it all under control. I’ll get you to Jerusalem and put you on a throne. And we’ll reign happily every after. Got it?

And Jesus’ response?

But turning around
and seeing His disciples,
He rebuked Peter and said,
“Get behind Me, Satan;
for you are not setting your mind
on God's interests, but man’s.”
Mark 8:33

And then comes the “landmark,” the high point, the milestone that defines discipleship and what it is all about.

And He [Jesus] summoned the crowd
with His disciples, and said to them,
“If anyone wishes to come after Me,
he must deny himself,
and take up his cross
and follow Me.
Mark 8:34

Jesus’ suffering mission was to become the disciples’ mission as well. They were being called to suffer, following His example.

The landmark! Self-denial. What Jesus calls for is not a denial to self of things, but a denial of oneself, the opposite of self-affirmation, self-promotion, self-adulation, …. Self-denial. Even to death.

As Dietrich Bonhoeffer put it, “When Christ calls a man, He bids him come and die.”

On the other hand, narcissism, the love of self, appears to be on the rise all around us. More than half of those aged 18 through 25 said “becoming famous” was an important goal—five times as many as named “becoming more spiritual” as a goal. That vanity is a symptom of narcissism goes without saying. 12 million people in the U.S. submitted themselves to cosmetic procedures in 2007. As a practicing dermatologist, I can heartily attest to the fact that a veritable industry thrives on the narcissistic culture’s agonizing over the paleness of teeth, darkness of skin, shortness of eyelashes, wrinkling of brows, rippling of fat, and the urgency to wax, spray, laser, peel, lift, tuck, and color.

… in the last days
difficult times will come.
For people will be lovers of self ….
2 Timothy 3:1

Self-denial? Hardly!

But we disciples know what we ought to do. Self-denial is our landmark! May it mark our lives indelibly as we follow our Master in His suffering mission. Even to the end!

AGING!

That’s from a family gathering that took place last weekend. Looking at that photo I feel old. I am old! All those kids ….

You see, my father is one of eleven. Just on that side I have 25+ cousins (easy to lose count). And between those 25+ cousins and my only sibling, my generation has begotten close to 45 kids. Yup! This is a BIG family.

(Now you know why I’m single! Somebody’s got to be responsible!)

Anyways, the other five in this photo are a small sample of those 45 in the younger generation. Did I say “younger”? Well …. The two guys pictured (excepting yours faithfully) are married. One is about to be a father. The oldest of the lassies is engaged and will be married in a few months. And all of them, I have bounced on my lap in the decades past (one of them is still perched on my lap). Dear me, am I old, or what!

I am the ancient “uncle.” The old fuddy-duddy who likes bowties. Who treats their acne and warts and other dermatological inconveniences (I take full credit for their wonderful skins!). That’s me. The old guy. Gray hair and all. (Though you have to admit that I have more of the good stuff on my scalp than do some in the next generation.)

But, truth be told, I am old. The old brain with its weary synapses isn’t pushing those neurotransmitters fast enough. Cholesterol rises. Waistlines expand. Joints creak. Eyes squint. Etc.

I am old.

I feel like the Psalmist who declared …

Do not cast me off in the time of old age;
Do not forsake me when my strength fails.
Psalm 71:9

But I was struck by the reason the Psalmist gives for this plea.

O God, You have taught me from my youth,
And I still declare Your wondrous deeds.
And even when I am old and gray,
O God, do not forsake me,
Until I declare Your strength
to this generation,
Your power to all who are to come.
Psalm 71:17–18

Did you catch that? “Until I declare Your strength/power to the succeeding generations. Until I announce You and declare You and display You to the new crop. Until then, O Lord, do not forsake me. Keep me going.” (After that, I suppose, the Psalmist would prefer to go “home.”)

So … we’re here—we old geezers, seniors, mature ones, (or whatever pleasant euphemism takes your fancy)—we’re here to proclaim God to the next generation. To point them to the Almighty. To bring them to a saving knowledge of Christ. To teach them and to model for them what it means to walk with Christ, led by the Spirit.

The righteous man will flourish
like the palm tree,
He will grow like a cedar in Lebanon.
Planted in the house of the LORD,
They will flourish in the courts of our God.
They will still yield fruit in old age;
They shall be full of sap and very green,
To declare that the LORD is upright;
He is my rock,
and there is no unrighteousness in Him.
Psalm 92:12–15

There it is again. “To declare the LORD.” No wonder Solomon wrote …

The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life,
And he who is wise wins souls.
Proverbs 11:30

Winning souls—the next generation—with the Gospel; winning souls by moving them towards Christlikeness; winning souls by patterning for them what it means to be godly, and spiritual.

What a solemn responsibility. Let’s get to work!

JOINED!

While I am on the subject of marriage …

The Gospel of Mark is almost a “manual” of discipleship, describing what it means to walk with Jesus from Galilee (where the story begins) to Jerusalem (where the story ends).

Early in the account, Jesus had declared that disciples were forming a new family, that related to Jesus, followed Jesus, and represented him. This discipleship business was going to be a radical journey going God’s way, and radical journeys demanded radical measures.

“Behold My mother and My brothers!
For whoever does the will of God,
he is My brother and sister and mother.”
Mark 3:34–35

Some time later, Jesus addressed the particular implications of the call to discipleship that dealt with sacrificing everything “for My sake.”

Jesus said, “Truly I say to you,
there is no one who has left house
or brothers or sisters
or mother or father
or children or farms,
for My sake and for the gospel's sake,
but that he will receive
a hundred times as much
now in the present age,
houses and brothers and sisters and
mothers and children and farms ….”
Mark 10:28–30

The interesting thing is that all throughout the Gospel, while much sacrifice is called for, even of close ones, and of livelihoods, there is nothing at all said about spouses sacrificing one another. Instead, in a strongly worded response to the Pharisees, Jesus asserts the permanence of marriage.

“But from the beginning of creation,
God made them male and female.
For this reason a man shall leave
his father and mother
and the two shall become one flesh;
so they are no longer two,
but one flesh.
What therefore God has
joined together,
let no man separate.”
Mark 10:6–9

Nowhere in the Gospel is any hint of husbands giving up wives or vice versa for Jesus’ sake. That relationship is one ordained by God and is inviolable. The call to discipleship does not disrupt this special bond. How could it? For husband and wife have become “one flesh,” inseparable. In fact, for married folks, the Trip of Discipleship calls for a “one-fleshed” undertaking—a joint enterprise. There is never any indication in Scripture of it being any other way. Jesus had already declared:

“If anyone wishes
to come after Me,
he must deny himself,
and take up his cross
and follow Me.”
Mark 8:34

Indeed, one might need to rewrite this principle for married couples: “If any married couple wishes to come after Me, ‘he+she’ (as one flesh) must deny ‘himself+herself,’ and take up ‘his+her’ cross and follow Me.”

The “one flesh” concept is foundational to marriage and foundational it will remain for discipleship, Jesus declared. Thus Jesus establishes the singular importance of “one-fleshed” discipleship—the joint journey undertaken by spouses following Jesus together. It couldn’t be otherwise. As one scholar said, it is not just that this “one-fleshedness” should not be broken up; it cannot. God’s sees marriage as a one-flesh union that is essentially inseparable.

This is an important directive to disciples regarding the closest union humanly possible—that between spouses. Lest anyone imagine that discipleship and its call for self-denial and cross-bearing involve the abandonment of this union, Jesus quickly corrects such a misconception. The “trip of discipleship” for married ones is a joint endeavor, a one-fleshed undertaking, helping one another along the way. In fact this is an exemplary instance of the manner in which members of the body of Christ help one another along the way.

We walk together on the journey. Helping one another on this Trip of Discipleship!

SINGLENESS!

Since I began this marriage theme last week ….

One of the smart students at Dallas Seminary had a great idea a few weeks ago. Apparently one of her Chinese friends told her that in that part of the world they celebrate “Singles Day” on either 1/11 or 11/1 (all those poor, lonely single digits!). So she organized a Singles Day gathering at the single students’ apartments (aka “Washington Hall”) at DTS last Sunday. With potluck Chinese food, of course. And I was invited to go over and join these blessed ones (ahem!) to share any words of wisdom I might have accumulated while ambling along the path of singleness.

I told them I knew the exact moment I had decided to remain single. Yup, the exact moment. It was (many years ago) when my married friend Jeff told me: “Abe,” he said, “I didn’t know the secret of happiness until I got married. … And then it was too late.” That’s when I made my decision. Right then and there.

[Just kidding, folks! And, in case you were wondering, Jeff is still married. Happily!]

Anyhow, I define my singleness this way: single by choice, for life, unto Christ, in community.

According to Paul, both marriage and celibacy are gifts.

… each person has
his own gift from God
one in this manner
[to be single],
and another in that
[to be married].
1 Corinthians 7:7

I just happened to have discovered mine.

This is the season, I told those students, to exploit singleness to the max. With a special kind of freedom that, once married, they will probably never have, this is the season to focus undistractedly upon the body of Christ, pouring themselves out for the church. Singles have two free arms. Extra valencies to make more bonds.

But, yes, it is true, that in most churches there is an implicit bias against singles—those “abnormal” folks. In single men, Luther wrote, one can have neither hope nor confidence, only constant fear. Yeah, right! And single women? He didn’t think anyone of them should be celibate for—and I quote—“a woman has no control over herself.” Sheesh! Those remaining celibate by choice were not pleasing to God, stated that monk. “They cannot boast that what they do is pleasing in God’s sight, as can the woman in childbirth, even if her child is born out of wedlock.” Wow!

Lest we forget, marriage is not the summum bonum, the greatest good, of Christian life. If it were, there would have been marriage in heaven. There isn’t!

Discussing the resurrection with some religious leaders, Jesus said:

“For when they rise from the dead,
they neither marry
nor are given in marriage,
but are like angels in heaven.”
Mark 12:24–25

And as Clint Eastwood once observed, “"They say marriages are made in Heaven. But so is thunder and lightning.”

(That quote has no relevance to what I’m saying, but it was too good to pass by! That’s what we preachers do when we find a delectable quote or delightful story.)

Being married or not being married has nothing to do with being Christlike—God’s demand of His children. And if we live lives seeking God, fearing God, serving God, loving God—being Christlike—we’ll lack nothing, no matter if one is single or otherwise. God is more interested in our holiness than our happiness.

The young lions do lack
and suffer hunger;
But they who seek the LORD
shall not be in want
of any good thing.
Psalm 34:10

Life is short. Let’s live for Him.

NAMED!

Folks, don’t get your hopes too high. No, it ain’t what you think it is. Yours faithfully hasn’t decided to toss in the towel (kick the bucket?) and go for it. Nope. Not at all. Nay. De nada. Not by a long shot. Pas du tout. Nothing doing. Überhaupt nicht. (Etc.)

In fact, later today, I’ve gotta be a “resource person” at a meeting of single seminary students to talk about ministry opportunities for those who are such as I. I can’t go do this kind of stuff the day before, can I? So, rest easy.

I was attending an engagement—a big event in Indian circles—of a cousin’s daughter yesterday (her last name: Kuruvilla). And as I walk in the door of Hackberry Creek Country Club, I do a double take. There was this sign in the front hallway announcing the event and its room venue. Was this all a sinister plot to get me betrothed? Before I went into an apoplectic fit, seeing all my cousins collapse into laughter at the sign (and everyone and their brothers-in-law had to take a picture of the sign—I’ll never live this down), good sense—thankfully!–prevailed. The Kuruvilla lassie’s fiancé has the last name Abraham. Hence “Abraham-Kuruvilla engagement.”

Thank heavens for hyphens. I escaped, by the skin of my teeth! (Appropriate for a dermatologist!)

But seriously, I actually even know several Abraham Kuruvillas. Some of them are physicians as well. As far as I am able to discern, no one is a theologian-dermatologist. Or single. I have that niche all to my own self.

Not that we should care too much about our names.

Some boast in chariots
and some in horses,
But we will boast in the name
of the LORD, our God.
Psalm 20:7

That’s the Name worth caring about. That’s the Name we should be concerned about. No other name will bring success or fulfillment or salvation.

And there is salvation in no one else;
for there is no other name under heaven
that has been given among men
by which we must be saved.
Acts 4:12

And for that name we live, and move, and have our being.

I will glorify Your name forever.
Bless the LORD, O my soul,
And all that is within me,
bless His holy name.
Psalm 86:12; 103:1

That’s the Name that will be over every other name.

At the name of Jesus,
every knee will bow,
of those who are in heaven
and on earth and under the earth,
and that every tongue will confess
that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
Philippians 2:10–11

And amazingly, those who believe in Christ will get His name.

To the one who overcomes,
to him I will give … a new name.
Revelation 2:17

One day, at the end of time …

There will no longer be any curse;
and the throne of God
and of the Lamb will be in it,
and His bond-servants will serve Him;
they will see His face,
and His name
will be on their foreheads.
Revelation 22:3–4

Paradoxically, because we bear His name, ours will never be lost.

Rejoice that your names
are recorded in heaven.
Luke 10:20

These recorded names—Abrahams and Kuruvillas and all the rest—are permanently there, in heaven, for ever.

He who overcomes
will thus be clothed
in white garments;
and I will not erase his name
from the book of life,
and I will confess his name
before My Father
and before His angels.
Revelation 3:5

Named! For eternity!

ROYALTY!

I got this check the other day. Royalties! From the publisher of my first book that came out the middle of last year. (For those of you who want to help increase the size of this check next time around, feel free to do so here.)

Yup, I got a check. For a whopping …—well, let’s just say I can buy a few cheesecakes with it. Eight to be exact! That ought to give me enough calories till the next check. I tell you, it’s a hand to mouth existence here.

Royalties. That curious word has been in the English language since the 14th century, referring, of course, to kings and queens and such. It expanded its domain of meaning to encompass royal rights, then to rights granted by rulers to others (mineral rights, for e.g., for land was theirs), and then, after centuries, to rights of ordinary individuals to a proportion of the monetary value of their patent, copyright, book, music, etc.

roy•al•ty (noun) = a share of the pie

God demands a share of the pie, too. After all, all pies (and all cheesecakes, I suppose) are his. He deserves it all. Because He owns it all, and his authority extends over all.

There’s a curious parable that Jesus tells in Mark 12 that underscores God’s desire to get a share of His pie.

“A man planted a vineyard,
… and rented it out to vine-growers
and went on a journey.
At the harvest time he sent a slave
… in order to receive some of the
produce of the vineyard
from the vine-growers.
They received him, and beat him
and sent him away empty-handed.”
Mark 12:1–3

The parallels must not be lost: the owner sends a slave to receive fruit. The tenant farmers receive him and send him back empty-handed (fruitless!), with an extra bit of action thrown in for good measure—they beat him! That wasn’t all.

“Again he sent them another slave,
and they wounded him in the head,
and treated him shamefully.
And he sent another,
and that one they killed ….”
Mark 12:4–5

The abuse increases in intensity with each successive incident: from beating, to striking on the head, and finally killing. While this clearly alludes to the treatment the Old Testament prophets received in bygone days, the lesson of downright rebellion against God is vividly portrayed. This was a complete disregard for the owner’s wishes—pure, unadulterated rebellion. Not giving God, the owner, his “royalty” of fruit is equivalent to rebellion. Fruit is owed God, the owner of all things! The rebellion is consummated when the owner sends his son—“a beloved son.”

“They took him, and killed him ….
What will the owner of the vineyard do?
He will come
and destroy the vine-growers ….”
Mark 12:7–9

In Jesus’ establishment of the new community of believers, this actually came to pass. Yet the lesson of fruitlessness should be a serious warning for all us.

His is the pie. It’s God’s. He wants His share. In fact, He gets more than “royalty”—He gets it all, for it all belongs to Him. Of course, He lets us use His property—life, breath, creation, and everything else. But we must never forget they all belong to Him. And we must render to Him what is His due. Fruit. Living lives for Him. Using our energies for Him. Our resources, our time, our all. Fruitfulness is not just a matter of productivity; towards God, it is a responsibility.

May He get His “royalty” from us in 2010.