BEANNACHD!

Beannachd Dae Leat. Scottish Gaelic for “God’s blessings go with you.” Or simply, “Goodbye!”

Almost two years after my arrival here in the bonnie land of Scotland, I’m in the process of bidding friends and well-wishers in Aberdeen goodbye. Next week I take my leave. It’s back to the U.S. for me. But not without the pangs of separation.

It has been a terrific time of learning for me here: not only focusing undistractedly upon the topic of my thesis, but also learning to trust God far away from home, friends, familiarity, vocation, …. But our God is a trustworthy God: it wasn’t long before I made good friends here in Aberdeen who will remain good friends for ever. The delight of their company and love, however, makes farewells less than pleasant. I will miss those dear ones greatly.

Yet it is with keen anticipation that I head back to Dallas to begin a new chapter of my life, teaching (and treating), and generally trundling through life, attempting to serve my God to the best of my capacity. What He holds for me in the next phase of my life I anticipate with excitement and eagerness. Remembering His faithfulness to me in the past certainly makes it easier to look forward into the future. God is faithful!

The LORD's lovingkindnesses
indeed never cease,
for His compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
great is Your faithfulness.
“The LORD is my portion,”
says my soul,
Therefore I have hope in Him.”
Lamentations 3:22–24

So, later this week, back to Texas! It will certainly be an adventure. All of life is, isn’t it? An adventure that we undertake in the full confidence of the sovereign power and tender love of our great God.

You have enclosed me
behind and before,
and laid Your hand upon me.
If I take the wings of the dawn,
if I dwell in the remotest
part of the sea,
even there Your hand
will lead me,
and Your right hand
will lay hold of me.
How precious also are
Your thoughts to me, O God!
How vast is the sum of them!
If I should count them, they
would outnumber the sand.
Psalm 139:5, 9–10, 17–18

No matter where we are, what path we tread, which situation we find ourselves in, we, like Paul, are …

… convinced that neither death,
nor life, nor angels,
nor principalities,
nor things present,
nor things to come, nor powers,
nor height, nor depth,
nor any other created thing,
will be able to separate us
from the love of God,
which is in Christ Jesus
our Lord.
Romans 8:38–39

As I requested prayer when I set forth from the U.S. to the U.K., may I again ask for your intercession with regard to all that awaits my immediate future? Many thanks to all who have faithfully labored as prayer warriors on my behalf these last several months. Please don't stop!

For God is not unjust
so as to forget your work
and the love
which you have shown
toward His name,
in having ministered
and in still ministering
to the saints.
Hebrews 6:10

And so the pilgrimage continues, as we walk with the Lord from one circumstance to another, from one place to another, from one continent to another. Until one day we find ourselves HOME. For, like Abraham of old, we, too, are …

… looking for the city
which has foundations,
whose architect
and builder is God.
Hebrews 11:10

HOME. Where we belong. Where are loved ones are. Where our Savior is. Where we are going. HOME.

WALKING!

“Walking” in the New Testament is quite a common metaphor for the Christian life. The Book of Acts refers to Christians as those “belonging to the Way” (Acts 9:2; etc.); the Gospel of Mark considers discipleship as being “on the way” with Christ; Paul describes the life of Christians as being a “walk”.

… we walk by faith, not by sight.
2 Corinthians 5:7

Christians, as those who have placed their trust in Christ, have received eternal life …

… so that as Christ was raised
from the dead
through the glory of the Father,
so we too might walk
in newness of life.
Romans 6:4

A new life-walk characterized by good deeds.

For we are His workmanship,
created in Christ Jesus
for good works,
which God prepared beforehand
so that we would walk in them.
Ephesians 2:10

A new life-walk of good deeds that is commensurate with the high calling to be Christlike.

… walk in a manner
worthy of the Lord,
to please Him in all respects,
bearing fruit in every good work
and increasing in
the knowledge of God.
Colossians 1:10

This figure of speech, walking/living, is carried even further. Just as it is impossible to navigate one’s way without light, it is impossible, the Bible tells us, to traverse the Way without the Light. Jesus said:

“I am the Light of the world;
he who follows Me
will not walk in the darkness,
but will have the Light of life.”
John 8:12

No longer are believers in darkness. No longer are believers to follow the desires of the flesh. No longer are believers to walk foolishly.

… you were formerly darkness,
but now you are
Light in the Lord;
walk as children of Light, …
trying to learn
what is pleasing to the Lord. …
Therefore be careful
how you walk,
not as unwise but as wise,
… understand what the
will of the Lord is.
Ephesians 5:8, 10, 15, 17

Such a walk along the Way lit by the Light of life is an important sign of Christian growth, an essential ingredient for Christian fellowship, and a confident assurance of the forgiveness of our sins.

If we say that we have
fellowship with Him
and yet walk in the darkness,
we lie and do not practice the truth;
but if we walk in the Light
as He [God] Himself
is in the Light,
we have fellowship
with one another,
and the blood of Jesus His Son
cleanses us from all sin.
1 John 1:6–7

Walking in the Light.

Come … let us walk
in the light of the LORD.
Isaiah 2:5

Walking with God, as His people.

How blessed are the people
who know the joyful sound!
O LORD, they walk
in the light of Your countenance.
Psalm 89:15

Walking according to His Spirit, as disciples …

… who do not walk
according to the flesh
but according to the Spirit.
Romans 8:4

Walking in obedience to His Word, the Scriptures.

Your word is a lamp to my feet
And a light to my path.
Psalm 119:105

Until one day, finally, we arrive at that destination towards which we walk, that terminus to which the Way leads.

And the city has no need
of the sun or of the moon
to shine on it,
for the glory of God
has illumined it,
and its lamp is the Lamb.
The nations will walk by its light.
Revelation 21:23–26

A place of never-ending Light! Let’s keep walking, for we’ll soon get there. Soon and very soon!

CUPID!

Much though some well-wishers of mine have wished it so, I have to disappoint them. Sorry, folks, Cupid—despite the title of this blog and the picture beneath—hasn’t targeted me yet.

The other day, I was in Piccadilly Circus, a traffic junction in the West End of London (circus = open circular intersection). Besides the neon hoardings, the characteristic feature of this London landmark is its statue of Eros (the god of love to the Greeks; a.k.a. Cupid to the Romans; but, apparently, there is some confusion as to whether the sculptor Alfred Gilbert intended his winged nude to be the deity of love at all). This London icon even shows up on the masthead of the British tabloid, the Evening Express.

It is fairly well established that the Greeks of yore had several words for love: eros, sensual love and passion; philia, “dispassionate” and virtuous friendship; storge, natural affection normally denoting familial relationships; and agape, the word most used for “love” in the New Testament, with its dominant connotation of a self-sacrificial love that characterized God Himself.

God is love.
1 John 4:16

Indeed, He is love. And it was this attribute that led Him to act on behalf of lost mankind.

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

And the result? For all those who place their trust in Jesus Christ, believing in work on the cross for their salvation, 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

Agape. God’s. For me. For you.

But God,
being rich in mercy,
because of His great love
with which He loved us …
made us alive
together with Christ—
by grace you have been saved.
Ephesians 2:4–5

And from this agape, nothing—absolutely nothing!—can ever separate the believer.

Who will separate us
from the love of Christ?
Will tribulation, or distress,
or persecution, or famine,
or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
For I am convinced
that neither death, nor life,
nor angels, nor principalities,
nor things present,
nor things to come, nor powers,
nor height, nor depth,
nor any other created thing,
will be able to separate us
from the love of God,
which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:35, 38–39

Agape! Amazing agape that now makes us, in Christ, the children of God.

See how great a love
the Father has bestowed on us,
that we would be called
children of God.
1 John 3:1

The greatest agape—Christ’s self-sacrificial love.

Greater love
has no one than this,
that one lay down his life
for his friends.
John 15:13

And He did, dying for us. And in doing so, not only did He save us, but He also set us an example to follow.

… walk in love,
just as Christ also loved you
and gave Himself up for us ….
Ephesians 5:2

He showed us what it means to love.

We know love by this,
that He laid down His life for us;
and we ought
to lay down our lives
for fellow believers.
We love,
because He first loved us.
1 John 3:16; 4:19

Indeed this is Christ’s commandment to His followers.

A new commandment
I give to you,
that you love one another,
even as I have loved you ….
By this all men will know
that you are My disciples ….
John 13:34–35

So …

Let all that you do
be done in love.

1 Corinthians 16:14

HARMONY!

The charming medieval settlement of Old Aberdeen is the focal point of a number of architectural gems, not the least of which is the 500-year old University of Aberdeen campus. Another is a remarkable Georgian Town House built in the 1700s: its pleasing proportions, rugged stonework, and dignified stance has made it the logo of The Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland, its elegant façade appearing on all their publications.

The motto of what was the burgh of Old Aberdeen is inscribed above the front door of this edifice: Concordia Res Parvae Crescunt, or “Through Harmony, Small Things Increase”—unity makes a significant difference.

Using the metaphor of the body, Paul made the same point in the New Testament: no believer is insignificant; each is an integral and necessary part of the Body of Christ.

Now you are Christ's body,
and individually members of it.
1 Corinthians 12:27

The unity of the body is presupposed, even as diversity within it is acknowledged.

For the body is not
one member, but many.
If the whole body were an eye,
where would the hearing be?
If the whole were hearing,
where would
the sense of smell be?
But now God
has placed the members,
each one of them, in the body,
just as He desired.
1 Corinthians 12:14, 17–18

The church, the Body of Christ, is a united organism, every diverse part of which is essential for the unity of the whole. A body cannot function—indeed, it cannot even be a body—without the unity of its various components. It is through that unity and harmony in Christ, wrought by the Holy Spirit, that “small things increase”.

If they were all one member,
where would the body be?
But now there are
many members,
but one body.
And the eye
cannot say to the hand,
“I have no need of you”;
or again the head to the feet,
“I have no need of you.”
1 Corinthians 12:19–21

We need each other. We depend on each other. We are bound to each other. United. As a body.

[May] there be
no division in the body, ….
And if one member suffers,
all the members suffer with it;
if one member is honored,
all the members rejoice with it.
1 Corinthians 12:25–26

This is not to be harmony at all costs, or harmony for harmony’s sake. This is a unity for the sake of Christ. A unity of Body, a harmony, based on love, and a spirit of selflessness and humility. Indeed, believers are called to imitate their Savior’s own humility.

[Be] of the same mind,
maintaining the same love,
united in spirit,
intent on one purpose.
Do nothing from selfishness
or empty conceit,
but with humility of mind
regard one another as
more important than yourselves.
Have this attitude in yourselves
which was also in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 2:2–3, 5

Jesus Himself prayed that those who follow Him would be bound together in this kind of unity.

“… that they may be
perfected in unity,
so that the world may know
that You [the Father] sent Me,
and loved them,
even as You have loved Me.
John 17:23

May God help us to be united, that through our harmony and our concord He may be glorified.

Now may the God
who gives perseverance
and encouragement grant you
to be of the same mind
with one another
according to Christ Jesus,
so that with one accord
you may with one voice
glorify the God and Father
of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 15:5–6

PRESSURE!

That’s Wartburg Castle in the distance, one of the best-preserved castles in Germany, located on a 1200-ft cliff overlooking Eisenach. It was built in the 11th century by Duke Ludwig of Thuringia, on someone else’s land. Apparently this enterprising guy had soil transported from his own property to the top of the mountain in order to swear that the castle was built on “his own ground”.

Of particular interest to Christians all over, and Protestants in particular, is the fact that Martin Luther stayed in Wartburg Castle. Having been excommunicated by the Pope in 1520 for his recalcitrant Reformation activities, Luther added fuel to the fire when he refused to recant his “heresies” at the Diet (Parliament) of Worms in May 1521. Fearing for his safety, his well-wishers had him “kidnapped” and transported to Wartburg where he remained for about 10 months (1521–1522), incognito, letting his hair grow, and adopting a pseudonym (“Knight George”).

But letting his hair grow did not equate with Luther’s letting his hair down and taking it easy. As a matter of fact, these months of intense pressure were perhaps his most productive. By any reckoning, his translation of the New Testament to German was a tour de force. And he did it entirely at Wartburg. In just 11 weeks. (Yes, eleven! Yes, weeks!) The Greek New Testament has about 138,000 words. That works out to about 1,800 words translated into German a day. All that amidst the torments of solitude, discouragement, fear, weariness, and illness. He is also alleged to have had his inkpot-thrown-at-the-devil episode in the Castle. Pressure of all kinds. And if you consider that the product of his translation did for the German language what the King James Version did for English, not to mention what it did for the Reformation, that single-handed endeavor by Knight George was an incredible, unparalleled feat par excellence. Production under pressure.

Maybe that’s why God puts us under pressure. For fruit production!

Consider it all joy,
my brethren, when you
encounter various trials,
knowing that the testing
of your faith produces endurance.
And let endurance
have its perfect result,
so that you may be
perfect and complete,
lacking in nothing.
James 1:2–4

Seasons of pressure give us no occasion to trust in our own capacities, capabilities, cleverness, and craftiness. These are times when we are almost down and out. These are the days when we are thrown upon God’s feet, trusting in Him alone. The dog days when God’s power is manifest, producing in us its fruit.

And [the Lord] has said to me,
“My grace is sufficient for you,
for power is perfected
in weakness.”
Most gladly, therefore,
I will rather boast
about my weaknesses,
so that the power
of Christ may dwell in me.
Therefore I am well content
with weaknesses,
with insults, with distresses,
with persecutions,
with difficulties,
for Christ's sake;
for when I am weak,
then I am strong.
2 Corinthians 12:9–10

There is yet another kind of product that comes out of pressure … should we persevere through it.

In this you greatly rejoice,
even though now
for a little while, if necessary,
you have been distressed
by various trials,
so that the proof of your faith,
being more precious than gold
… may be found to result
in praise and glory and honor
at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 1:6–7

Eternal reward! So let us run, with perseverance,

… fixing our eyes on Jesus,
the author and perfecter of faith,
who for the joy set before Him,
endured the cross ….
Hebrews 12:2

ACCESS!

That’s the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin built in the late 1700s. A monumental landmark of twelve Doric columns about 60 feet high, the structure is modeled after the gateway to the Acropolis. Atop sits the Quadriga (four-horse chariot) with the goddess of peace driving it.

When the Nazis were in power, Brandenburg Gate symbolized their power. After the building of the Berlin Wall in the early 60s, the gate remained closed, a token of the Iron Curtain’s blockade of access between the East and West. President Reagan stood by it in 1987 and challenged the East to “Tear down this wall.” Upon the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, the Brandenburg Gate came to stand for freedom. On Dec 22, 1989, it was opened when West German Chancellor Kohl walked through it to the East German side. Access!

Another One went through a barrier Himself, procuring for believers a grand and magnificent access. To God Himself.

… in [Christ] we have
boldness and confident access
through faith in Him.
Ephesians 3:12

When Christ paid the price of sin once for all by His finished work on the cross, the accounts of His death state that the temple veil that separated the Holy of Holies from the rest of the sanctuary was rent top down.

And Jesus uttered a loud cry,
and breathed His last.
And the veil of the temple
was torn in two
from top to bottom.
Mark 15:37–38

No more would the most holy place in the temple be verboten for mankind. No more would sin be an issue for salvation between holy God and sin-stained humans; for those who place their trust in Christ, the Mediator, access was available.

For there is one God,
and one mediator also
between God and men,
the man Christ Jesus.
1 Timothy 2:5

No more barrier. No more separation. No more estrangement. Evermore access. Evermore united with the Father. Evermore His child.

Therefore, having been
justified by faith,
we have peace with God
through our Lord Jesus Christ,
through whom also
we have obtained
our introduction by faith
into this grace
in which we stand;
and we exult
in hope of the glory of God.
Romans 5:1–2

And exult we will!

Sing, O sing of my Redeemer!
With his blood he purchased me;
On the cross he sealed my pardon,
Paid the debt and made me free.

I will tell the wondrous story,
How my lost estate to save,
In his boundless love and mercy,
He the ransom freely gave.

Philip P. Bliss wrote this hymn in 1876 before dying in a train disaster. Apparently he survived the initial wreck, but was killed trying—unsuccessfully—to rescue his wife. This hymn was found later among his effects.

I will sing of my Redeemer
And his heav'nly love to me;
He from death to life hath brought me,
Son of God with Him to be.

Indeed, Christ had brought Bliss from death to life, “Son of God, with Him to be.” And so will we be with Him. Evermore. Because the price of sin was paid.

For Christ also died for sins
once for all,
the just for the unjust,
so that He might
bring us to God.
1 Peter 3:18

By His work. Into God’s presence. Access.

… we have confidence
to enter the holy place
by the blood of Jesus,
by a new and living way
which He inaugurated for us
through the veil,
that is, His flesh .…
Hebrews 10:19–20

Sing, O sing!

TRUE!

Loch Ness. Home of the legendary monster, “Nessie”—one of the best-known cryptids, along with other fanciful, fabled, and fabulous creatures such as Big Foot, Yeti, centaurs, gremlins, hippogriffs, basilisks, etc. Cruises offer tourists the chance to look for Lady Nessie.

But despite all the endeavors to locate her, Nessie has evaded detection. An extensive investigation launched by the BBC a few years ago found no trace of any monster of any kind in the murky waters of the loch. Nessie simply does not exist.

To many it is likely that Jesus Christ and His resurrection are in that same category of unverifiable myths. And today being the Sunday after Ascension (40 days after Easter was last Thursday), perhaps a look into this matter of validity is called for, especially regarding the Resurrection. Fact or fiction?

… He [Jesus] also presented
Himself alive
after His suffering,
by many convincing proofs,
appearing to [the disciples]
over a period of forty days ….
Acts 1:3

Did He rise from the dead? There is no question Jesus’ tomb was empty. Is it possible He never died, and simply revived and walked away? Not after all the agonies He suffered. And certainly not under the watchful eyes of Pilate’s guards. Was His body stolen by His compatriots? By those Galilean fisherman scared out of their wits by the whole episode? Impossible! (Of course, the sleeping guards assure us that it happened while they were fast asleep!) Well, then, were the disciples lying about the Resurrection? The accounts we have, with the painful details of their doubts and cowardice, don’t read at all like works of fiction. I suppose they could have been hallucinating, but 500 of them at once? Mass hallucination? Likely story!

For I delivered to you
… what I also received,
that Christ died for our sins
… and that He was buried,
and that He was raised
on the third day
according to the Scriptures,
and that He appeared
… to the twelve.
After that He appeared to
more than five hundred brethren
at one time ….
1 Corinthians 15:3–7

But the most powerful evidence for the truth of all this is that lives were changed as a result of the Resurrection. The disillusioned, disheartened, and demoralized group of people at the crucifixion became, after the resurrection of their Lord, courageous men of fortitude and tenacity, with a vision and a boldness beyond comprehension. The disciples not only preached the Resurrection, they were ready to go to prison and even die for the truth of what they proclaimed. And they did: Paul and James—beheaded; Peter, Andrew, Philip, Jude, Simon the Zealot, and Bartholomew—crucified; James the Less—stoned; Matthew and Thomas—stabbed to death (the latter in India). Perhaps only John died a natural death. While some may die for what they believe in, thinking it true, nobody—nobody—will die for what they know to be false. Hypocrites and martyrs are not made of the same stuff. The disciples lives were changed.

Changed lives. And lives continue to be changed even today as believers place their trust in Christ for salvation from sin.

Not a figment of imagination like Miss Nessie. The true story of Christ and His Resurrection is a demonstration of the grace of God, the payment for our sin, and the assurance of eternal life. Life as it was meant to be. Victory!

The sting of death is sin,
and the power of sin is the law;
but thanks be to God,
who gives us the victory
through our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 15:56–57

PRAYER!

This picture was taken somewhere on an island off the western coast of Scotland some months ago. In the middle of nowhere. With a storm brewing in the air, foreboding, inky clouds spelling doom. No, I wasn’t in any trouble; the depiction of a deserted phone booth deposited in a desolated domain drew my attention. And, yes, the telephone worked! There was a dial-tone. Not a soul in sight, not a house anywhere around. Lightning on the horizon, thunder rumbling in the skies. But there was a dial-tone in that companionable carmine curbside cubicle with a connection to the outside. The comfortable sound of a link to the beyond.

So it is also for the Christian, one who has placed his or her trust in Christ as Savior. We too have a link to a source of strength and succor in times of stress and strain.

For we do not have a high priest
who cannot sympathize
with our weaknesses,
but One who has been tempted
in all things as we are,
yet without sin.
Therefore let us draw near
with confidence
to the throne of grace,
so that we may receive mercy
and find grace to help
in time of need.
Hebrews 4:15–16

There is always a line open. Jesus Christ, through whom alone we come to the Father.

For there is one God,
and one mediator also
between God and men,
the human Christ Jesus.
1 Timothy 2:5

This God, our God, is with us and for us—“Immanuel”. And …

If God is for us, who is against us?
Romans 8:31

This God, our Lord Jesus Christ, too, underwent the rigors of humanity and satanic trials, as he partook of our own human nature, finally, tasting death for us.

For since He Himself
was tempted
in that which He has suffered,
He is able to come to the aid
of those who are tempted.
Hebrews 2:18

An accessible line with an ever-present dial-tone.

What a Friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit,
O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer.

Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged;
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful
Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness;
Take it to the Lord in prayer.

Joseph Scriven, 1855

Through Christ, we are to pray. For times are troubled. Days dreary. Warfare on the way. Pray often.

The end of all things is near;
therefore, be of sound judgment
and sober spirit
for the purpose of prayer.
1 Peter 4:7

Only His peace can sustain us in these dreary days. And that peace, amidst the pressures of daily life, is channeled by prayer.

Be anxious for nothing,
but in everything
by prayer and supplication
with thanksgiving
let your requests
be made known to God.
And the peace of God,
which surpasses all comprehension,
will guard your hearts
and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6–7

Indeed, if incarnate God, Jesus Christ, Himself, had to pray, how much more we?

… He [Jesus] went off
to the mountain to pray,
and He spent the whole night
in prayer to God.
Luke 6:12

Let us follow His example.

Devote yourselves to prayer,
keeping alert in it
with an attitude of thanksgiving.
Colossians 4:2

AGING!

Hard to believe. This little kid whom I used to bounce around just the other day has graduated from high school overnight. My nephew, John. When did he become eighteen? Yesterday, I used to give him a hard time, teasing him and pulling his leg. Today, I’m at the receiving end. Yesterday, I was the fount of information. Today, he corrects my mistakes. Yesterday, I was treating the acne on his face. Today, he’s teaching me about “facebook”. Yesterday, he was a cute little elementary school kid. Today, he’s tall and gangly, bidding goodbye to his high school buddies.

I must be getting old! And who knows about tomorrow?

Come now, you who say,
“Today or tomorrow we will go
to such and such a city,
and spend a year there
and engage in business
and make a profit.”
Yet you do not know what
your life will be like tomorrow.
You are just a vapor
that appears for a little while
and then vanishes away.
James 4:13–14

Time flies. Things change. People age. And the clock ticks on, inexorably, irreversibly, incessantly. We might be unconscious of the fact, unmindful and unaware, but life is running out for each of us.

LORD, make me to know my end
and what is the extent of my days.
Let me know how transient I am.
Behold, You have made
my days as handbreadths,
and my lifetime
as nothing in Your sight.
Surely every man
at his best is a mere breath.
Psalm 39:4–5

And as the sand in our hourglasses run out, afflictions abound in synapse and sinew, frailties fell both mind and body. But we are sustained by our everlasting Father, and the eternality of life He gives us.

And now, Lord,
for what do I wait?
My hope is in You.
Psalm 39:7

Indeed! Our hope is in the One who has promised eternal life to those who believe in Christ Jesus for salvation from their sins, a life wherein all things will be renewed. However, in the meantime, as we await those days when things will be as they ought to be—wrongs emended, sin eradicated, joy established, God enjoyed—until then, the Psalmist says …

As for the days of our life,
they contain seventy years,
or if due to strength, eighty years.
Yet their pride
is but labor and sorrow.
For soon it is gone
and we fly away.
So teach us to number our days,
that we may present to You
a heart of wisdom.
Psalm 90:11–12

Until then, here on earth, may we be wise in all our undertakings, employing ourselves with care during the days allotted to us in this life, as we seek to bring Him praise and glory in all that we think and say and do.

My mouth is filled
with Your praise
and with Your glory all day long.
Do not cast me off
in the time of old age.
Do not forsake me
when my strength fails.
But as for me,
I will hope continually,
and will praise You
yet more and more.
My mouth shall tell
of Your righteousness
and of Your salvation all day long.
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.
For Your righteousness,
O God, reaches to the heavens,
You who have done great things;
O God, who is like You?
Psalm 71:8–9, 14–15, 18–19

We age. Be wise. Serve God.

COMMITMENT!

Until Oct 31, 1517, the medieval practice of the Catholic Church of granting indulgences—a scandalously commercialized transaction by which one could purchase remission from purgatory by viewing relics of saints (and donating money)—went largely unopposed.

Absolution from sin had become a commodity to be purchased. The Schlosskirche (Castle Church) in Wittenberg, in Germany, held one of Europe’s most significant collection of relics, and was center of veneration of these “antiquities”, that supposedly included among other objects of fantasy and imagination, straw from Jesus manger, and the body of one of the children massacred by King Herod.

Until Oct 31, 1517. On that day Martin Luther nailed his “95 Theses” (Disputation of Martin Luther on the Power and Efficacy of Indulgences) to the door of the Schlosskirche. Luther was outraged by the thought of sin being remitted by human works. This, he recognized, was an offense against the grace of God and the doctrine of justification by faith.

(There I am, standing before that famous door in Wittenberg; the original wooden doors, of course, are gone, to be replaced in the 19th century by bronze replicas bearing the Latin text of Luther’s theses.)

Against great opposition, this man of God stood firm. Pope Leo X issued a papal edict in 1520, condemning Luther and demanding a retraction. Luther burnt the edict in Wittenberg! Demands for Luther’s recantation continued. At great danger to his life, Luther refused. There would be no compromise. In 1521, in one of his most remarkable confrontations with church authorities at the Assembly of Worms (also in Germany), this stalwart said:

“Unless I can be instructed and convinced
with evidence from the Holy Scriptures
or with open, clear, and distinct grounds
and reasoning—and my conscience is
captive to the Word of God—
then I cannot and will not recant,
because it is neither safe nor wise
to act against conscience.
Here I stand. I can do no other.

God help me! Amen.

The Protestant Reformation had begun, to a great extent because of the commitment of one man to his God and to the veracity of God’s Word. An unbending, unyielding, undaunted stance.

Every believer in Christ is called upon to be committed likewise to God and His Word. To persevere. To stand firm. To hold fast.

Therefore, my beloved brethren,
be steadfast, immovable,
always abounding
in the work of the Lord,
knowing that your toil
is not in vain in the Lord.
1 Corinthians 15:58

Indeed! Not in vain at all! For there will be a reward for such faithfulness. May we not lose those deserts due to lack of commitment. Christ says:

“I am coming quickly;
hold fast what you have,
so that no one
will take your crown.”
Revelation 3:11

We are to hold fast what we have, committed to what we have learnt from the Word: how we should walk with God, abide in Christ, live by the Spirit.

So then, brethren,
stand firm and hold
to the traditions
which you were taught …
2 Thessalonians 2:15

God calls for a commitment. A line is drawn. Whom or what will we serve? As Joshua challenged the children of Israel:

Only be very careful
… to love the LORD your God
and walk in all His ways
and keep His commandments
and hold fast to Him
and serve Him with all your heart
and with all your soul.
.. choose for yourselves today
whom you will serve;
… but as for me and my house,
we will serve the LORD.
Joshua 22:5; 24:15

Will we be wholeheartedly, steadfastly, diligently committed to God?

GLORIFY!

A long-awaited expedition became reality last week. Drew, the organist at the church I attend in Aberdeen, and I set out on a pilgrimage to pay our respects to Herr Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750).

There’s yours faithfully and JSB having a chat in the Bach House at Eisenach, Germany. What a delight to revisit history and to breathe the same air as this musical genius and strong Christian. While there is no doubt that he was God’s unique musical gift to mankind, evidence of Bach’s spirituality and devotion to his Creator abounds. His settings of sacred texts speak (sing?) eloquently of the words they handle, focusing performer and listener upon the conceptual content of the piece, lyrics and music fitting one another with forceful passion and flawless perfection. He knew his God. Bach’s Bible comes down to us annotated with marginalia and comments. He knew his Scripture. Many of his manuscripts, both sacred and secular, contain the acronym “S.D.G”, Soli Deo Gloria (Glory to God alone). He knew his life’s purpose.

Bach is reported to have observed that music exists “in order to make a well-sounding harmony to the glory of God and the permissible delectation of the spirit; and the aim and final reason … of all music … should be nothing else but the glory of God and the recreation of the mind. Where this is not observed, there will be no real music but only a devilish hubbub.”

Quite in line with the biblical mandate concerning not only music but every other human activity.

Whatever you do,
do all to the glory of God.
1 Corinthians 10:31

Of course, there can only be one Bach! But the Bible is clear that all believers have one or more spiritual gifts and that we are called to exercise them, in whatever capacity and in whichever arena, unto God for His glory.

As each one has received
a special gift, employ it
in serving one another
as good stewards
of the manifold grace of God.
Whoever speaks, is to do so
as one who is speaking
the utterances of God;
whoever serves is to do so
as one who is serving
by the strength
which God supplies;
so that in all things
God may be glorified
through Jesus Christ,
to whom belongs the glory
and dominion
forever and ever. Amen.
1 Peter 4:10–11

To the end, Bach remained faithful to God in his music-making. On his deathbed, blind, and in a darkened room, he dictated to his son-in-law, Johann Christoph Altnikol, a choral prelude. Appropriately, it was on Vor deinen Thron tret ich hiermit.

Before Thy Throne I now appear,
O Lord! bow down Thy gracious ear,
Reject not from Thy loving face
A [poor sinner] who sues for Grace.
Bodo von Hodenberg, 1646

On July 10, 1750, this musician nonpareil suffered a stroke. Ten days later, “a little after a quarter to nine in the evening, in the sixty-sixth year of his life, he quietly and peacefully, by the merit of his Redeemer, departed this life,” as his obituary put it.

Whatever you do,
do your work heartily,
as for the Lord
rather than for men,
knowing that from the Lord
you will receive the reward
of the inheritance.
It is the Lord Christ
whom you serve.
Colossians 3:23–24

As children of God, as members of the body of Christ, let us remember whom we serve and why—to glorify God in everything.

Whatever you do
in word or deed,
do all in the name
of the Lord Jesus ….
Colossians 3:17

FORTRESS

A few weeks ago, while traveling in the western Highlands of Scotland with some friends, we literally ran into this fascinating structure!

Eilean Donan (Scottish Gaelic meaning Isle of Donan) is a small island (pop. 1!) in Loch Duich, connected by a footbridge to the mainland. This isle was named for St. Donan (Donnán of Eigg) martyred in that area in 617 A.D. On this parcel is the Eilean Donan Castle. The original edifice dates back from the early 13th century, for the most part a stronghold for various clans; the current restoration by the MacRae clan was undertaken in the early 1900s. For obvious reasons, Castle Eilean Donan has the distinction of being one of the most photographed castles in Scotland.

Enthralling monuments, these castles. And Scotland has a fair share of them—over 3,000, in various shapes, sizes, and states of preservation. Even the ruins look magnificent. Castle, from the Latin, castellum = fortress. These stone productions are both defensive (for protection from the enemy) and offensive (often located in hostile territory to control surrounding land). And, in many cases, castles evolved into residences for the lord or monarch who had them built.

I can’t help but think that the Christian’s “fortress” has all three of these characteristics: it is defensive; it is offensive; it is the home of the King! Indeed, the believer’s fortress is God Himself.

He who dwells in the shelter
of the Most High
Will abide in the shadow
of the Almighty.
I will say to the LORD,
“My refuge and my fortress,
My God, in whom I trust!”
Psalm 91:1–2

This fortress is defensive …

The LORD is my rock
and my fortress
and my deliverer,
My God, my rock,
in whom I take refuge.
My shield and
the horn of my salvation,
my stronghold.
I call upon the LORD,
who is worthy to be praised,
And I am saved from my enemies.
Psalm 18:2–3

This fortress is offensive.

In my distress
I called upon the LORD,
And cried to my God for help;
He heard my voice
out of His temple,
And my cry for help
before Him came into His ears.
Then the earth
shook and quaked;
And the foundations
of the mountains
were trembling
And were shaken,
because He was angry.
He sent out His arrows,
and scattered them [enemies],
And lightning flashes
in abundance, and routed them.
Psalm 18:6–7, 13

What can our response be to this great “Castle”, the God who is our fortress?

Praise …

The LORD lives,
and blessed be my rock;
And exalted be the God
of my salvation,
Therefore I will give thanks
to You among the nations, O LORD,
And I will sing praises
to Your name.
Psalm 18: 46, 49

And trust …

For You are my rock
and my fortress;
For Your name's sake
You will lead me and guide me.
How great is Your goodness,
Which You have stored up
for those who fear You,
Which You have wrought
for those who take refuge in You,
Before the sons of men!
Be strong and
let your heart take courage,
All you who hope in the LORD.
Psalm 31:3, 19, 24

Our great God, a Personal fortress, who loves us and give us victory!

Who will separate us
from the love of Christ?
Will tribulation, or distress,
or persecution, or famine,
or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
But in all these things
we overwhelmingly conquer
through Him who loved us.
Romans 8:35, 37

Amen!

FINISHED!

Finished! Almost. There I am with the 260-page tome of my thesis (Text to Praxis: Hermeneutics and Homiletics in Dialogue). There I go, early last week, to the University Office to formally submit the thesis to the Registrar. Almost finished. Almost, because there remains an oral exam—a defense of my thesis—to be encountered in late May. Nevertheless, it feels good to have the workload off my back, at least for a while. A sense of accomplishment. Finished!

In the light of Passion Week and the accomplishments of another Person on the cross, my petty accomplishment fades into the abyss of insignificance. He was the one who cried, “It is finished!”, after suffering the physical and emotional agonies of mockery, scourging, and crucifixion. Yet His greatest torment was His “separation” from God the Father, who had forsaken God the Son, because Jesus Christ …

… who knew no sin
[was made] sin on our behalf,
so that we might become
the righteousness of God in Him.
2 Corinthians 5:21

The spiritual suffering incomprehensible as holy God took on the sin of mankind. Jesus utter abandonment was echoed in His cry from the cross:

“My God, my God,
Why have You forsaken me?”
Mark 15:34

But in that great act of self-sacrifice Christ atoned for (covered the cost of) our sins, paying the full and final penalty thereof, opening access between holy God and those who place their trust in Christ’s finished work on the cross. Finished! Completed! Accomplished! Paid in full!

“It is finished!”
John 19:30

This exclamation was His last as He died on the cross. The verb not only conveys the sense of “finishing” it also carries the intent of “accomplishing”—fulfilling the obligations that were required of God the Son by God the Father in the power of God the Spirit. In His total obedience to the Father, Jesus Christ drank of the cup that was intended for us, in our place. In the Garden of Gethsemane as He anguished over what He knew was coming, He gave Himself totally to the will of the Father.

“Your will be done.”
Matthew 26:42

And it was. Fully. Finished!

Surely our griefs
He Himself bore,
And our sorrows He carried;
Yet we ourselves
esteemed Him stricken,
Smitten of God, and afflicted.
But He was pierced through
for our transgressions,
He was crushed
for our iniquities;
The chastening for our well-being
fell upon Him,
And by His scourging
we are healed.
Isaiah 53:4–5

Finished! An action completed in the past that also points to the continuing state of affairs resulting from that past action. It was finished for all time. For all people. In all places. Now. For me and for you.

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

The ramifications of the finished work of Christ reverberate across all time. For those have placed their trust in this work (and those who place and those who will place), to them eternal life is given. Death has been conquered. Sin has been banished. Satan has been defeated. And Christ’s resurrection proves the finality of His awesome work. Finished!

Love’s redeeming work is done!
Fought the fight, the battle won:
See, our Sun’s eclipse has passed;
See, the light returns at last. Hallelujah!

Lives again our glorious King;
Where, O death, in now your sting?
Once He died, our souls to save;
Where thy victory, O grave? Hallelujah!
Charles Wesley, 1739

UNGIFTED!

A couple of weeks ago, I was involved in a competition. Cooking!

“Can’t Cook, Won’t Cook” used to be a popular game-show here in the UK several years ago. Two unwitting scapegoats would be utilized to give the rest of the crowd some great entertainment, as those two victims attempted to cook something demonstrated to them by a chef.

Our church decided it was time for some fun. With all the dreariness of winter, the dullness of the clime, and the desperation of darkness, what better activity to engage in. Get two lunkheads to provide laughs for the congregation by duplicating “Can’t Cook, Won’t Cook.” I don’t know how I got into this (well, I do: arm-twisting by a certain person who will go unnamed; watch out, Leonie). All I can say is, that Saturday, the church certainly got some laughs at the expense of David and me. To our credit, folks consumed the stuff we concocted without collapsing on the spot. I can’t vouch for their long-term physical and psychological well-being after ingesting our indigestible indignities. (I did notice that there were a lot less people in church the next day.)

I hate being in involved in stuff I have no clue about. And clueless I was about cooking. My pièce de résistance is a PBJ sandwich and instant coffee. Culinary crafts are not my gift, I can tell you that.

In the body of Christ, the church, we tend to have that same attitude. If I ain’t gifted; I ain’t doin’ it. Evangelism—nope, not me. Acts of mercy—that’s not my cup of tea. Teaching—who, me? Service—my muscles are wasted, my bones weary, my mind weak. Leadership is not my forte. Giving—what do I have to give?

But the Bible teaches that we are all called to be active even in those areas in which we may not be particularly gifted.

Evangelism is everyone’s mandate …

Go therefore
and make disciples of all the nations ….
Matthew 28:19

Giving is required of all …

God loves a cheerful giver.
2 Corinthians 9:7

Faith we are all called upon to possess …

… for we walk by faith, not by sight.
2 Corinthians 5:7

Mercy is our middle name …

Be kind to one another,
tender-hearted,
forgiving each other ….
Ephesians 4:32

Service we are commanded to engage in …

Bear one another's burdens,
and thereby fulfill
the law of Christ.
Galatians 6:2

Leadership, at least some facets thereof, we all should exercise …

We urge you, brothers and sisters,
admonish the unruly,
encourage the fainthearted,
help the weak,
be patient with everyone.
1 Thessalonians 5:14

Teaching is a role we must all undertake, in some fashion, in some setting …

… by this time
you ought to be teachers.
Hebrews 5:12

So there is no excuse, is there? “Not my gift” is really a cop-out. While we may concentrate on those aspects of Christian life that the Holy Spirit enables us to be good at, we must remember the words of Paul …

I can do all things
through Him
who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:13

Of course, the greatest gift of all is love. That is the most essential aspect of our life in Christ.

A new commandment
I give to you,
that you love one another ….
John 13:34

A commandment Christ gave His followers a few days before His crucifixion. Appropriate for us this Holy Week. So let’s get to work. And remember …

Whatever you do,
do your work heartily,
as for the Lord
rather than for men.
Colossians 3:23

CREATION!

I was at the Isle of Skye last week with a couple of friends from church. Skye is a 650-sq. mile island (pop. 9,500) off the western coast of Scotland, about 250 miles from Aberdeen by road. What a stunning place! Stark and spectacular, raw and rugged. Dramatic mountains, dazzling lochs, imposing cliffs, impressive formations. (Not to mention a collection of fascinating castles; there I am at Armadale Castle, part of the holdings of the Clan Donald, overlooking the Sound of Sleat.) There is no question but that Skye is one of the most picturesque spots in this country. Photographers galore pay homage to this island all throughout the year, in weather clement or otherwise. If you come by Scotland, Skye is a must-see!

The magnificence of creation!

The heavens are telling
of the glory of God,
And their expanse
is declaring the work
of His hands.
Psalm 19:1

Indeed, God’s creation cannot remain silent. Every lofty mountain and every lovely dale bursts forth the glory of its Creator. His fingerprints are everywhere.

For since the creation
of the world
His invisible attributes,
His eternal power
and divine nature,
have been clearly seen,
being understood through
what has been made.
Romans 1:20

And all of this given to mankind to oversee and to steward.

When I consider Your heavens,
the work of Your fingers,
The moon and the stars,
which You have ordained;
What is man that
You take thought of him,
And the son of man
that You care for him?
Yet You have made him
a little lower than God,
And You crown him
with glory and majesty!
You make him
to rule over the works
of Your hands;
You have put
all things under his feet.
Psalm 8:3–6

This is quite a responsibility. Over His magnificent creation, we humans have oversight. Let’s take that call seriously. It is easy to be dismissive of our duty as stewards of His handiwork. After all, there’s going to be a new heaven and new earth, so why bother about this old one? That’s not very different from asserting we shouldn’t care for these bodies of ours, since we’re going to get new ones anyway, is it? New earths and new bodies notwithstanding, what God has entrusted to us we must care for. The Bible is clear about our being faithful to God for all that is given to us.

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

Oh, and that part in Psalm 8:3 about creation being the result of the twiddling of a few divine fingers? All that splendid and sublime work and only a finger or two involved? Perhaps. But you know what it took for the “new” creation—the creation of a community of believers who have been eternally saved from the sin and its consequences?

While it took only fingers for the awe-inspiring grandeur of nature to be created, it took not only fingers, but hands, feet, whence sorrow and love flow mingled down. A mouth struck. A back flogged. A scalp torn. A side pierced. A heart punctured. A love poured out. For me and for you.

Jesus Christ. Made sin on our behalf. Forsaken by God. Because He cared.

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

For those who place their trust in Christ, believing in his death and resurrection for the forgiveness of sin, salvation is free. Are you there yet?

TEACHER!

I met Prof. Watson for the last time this week. At least for formal purposes.

In the British system of obtaining a Ph.D., a student works very closely with his or her thesis supervisor, being guided in the writing of that 100,000-word volume. This is the major task of the postgraduate (“graduate student” in the U.S.): thesis-writing commences on day 1 and concludes when the supervisor declares that you’re done. And Prof. Watson affirmed I was, a few days ago. He didn’t want to see my thesis again (and, I confess, right now, neither do I!). Only one more hurdle to cross before I traverse the Atlantic permanently—the final viva voce (oral exams), to be scheduled for late May. But the labor is essentially over! Hurrah!

It has been a privilege working with Francis. A polymath, his facility in languages, his knowledge of the New Testament, his grasp of the major works of hermeneutics in the Western canon, his insightful reading and incisive critique are, to say the least, impressive. And he is also an accomplished pianist. As one of his former Oxford classmates once confided, “The rest of us were hard-working; Francis was brilliant.” So I dropped all and journeyed 5,000 miles to sojourn, once again, in another foreign land, to work with this remarkable man for the last 18 months. A teacher par excellence. I have learnt much.

That is not to say that my learning processes terminate at this point. For everyone, education is lifelong. For the believer, especially, learning about an infinite God and His Word and His work will never cease. While this growth is our personal responsibility—self-motivated and individually driven, just as in a Ph.D.—understanding our great God and applying the Scriptures can be ably guided and appropriately influenced by spiritual, skillful, and sensitive teachers. We all need them. Every Timothy needs a Paul. Every Melanchthon, a Luther. Every disciple, a discipler. And that means every one of us needs a mentor.

A wise one will hear
and increase in learning,
And a person of understanding
will acquire wise counsel.
Proverbs 1:5

We need wise counselors who can teach us about the ways of God and workings of God from the Word of God written out in their lives. This wisdom, this skill in godly living, this development of a pattern of godliness, is what it means to grow in Christ. It is essential therefore that we heed the words of those wiser ones.

Listen to counsel
and accept discipline,
That you may be wise
the rest of your days.
Proverbs 19:20

Paul was proud to call Timothy his “son” in the faith. Here was one who listened to his mentor’s words.

Now you followed my teaching,
conduct, purpose, faith,
patience, love, perseverance,
persecutions, and sufferings ….
2 Timothy 3:10–11

Let’s make sure we have around us one, or two, or more, wiser and more mature counselors, all our lives. Let’s make sure we pay attention to their teaching, emulating their conduct, purpose, faith, love, perseverance ….

So then, brethren,
stand firm
and hold to the traditions
which you were taught ….
2 Thessalonians 2:15

And let’s be proactive about pursuing counsel. Initiating contact with mentors. Seeking them out. Respecting their wisdom. And honoring them.

But we request of you, brethren,
that you appreciate those
who diligently labor among you,
and have charge over you
in the Lord
and give you instruction,
and that you esteem them
very highly in love
because of their work.
1 Thessalonians 5:12–13

DAWGdays!

This is it, folks. After about a decade of existence, this kennel is closing its doors. I’ve mentioned the motley crew of Aberdonian fellow-postgrad students called “Dawgs” in previous blogs. This species gathered weekly to pray and enjoy one another’s fellowship and was, in the 18 months of my sojourn in Aberdeen, a source of support and strength. God bless the Dawgs!

Behold, how good
and how pleasant it is
For brothers to dwell
together in unity!
Psalm 133:1

All of that is soon coming to an end. Decimated we already were, having lost several to graduation in the last year. Now the remaining few are making plans to abscond from this fair city. So we gathered for one last time to share a meal and take in a movie the other day.

There’s Mark on the left (Canis citharoedus—the troubadour Dawg: he is an accomplished musician). Mark is leaving to go back to the U.S. in a couple of weeks, looting Scotland of one of its treasures, his wife, Dawn. There’s Tom in the middle (Canis helveticus—the Swiss Dawg). He’s headed for parts East. (I’ve heard rumors that he’s joining the French Foreign Legion. I told him to make sure to take his Ph.D. thesis with him: “Festwerden im Glauben an Christum”: Eduard Böhl’s (1836–1903) Proposal for a Re-emergence of Reformation Thought. He could, I suggested to Tom, read a page or two of that glorious work out loud each morning to his fellow-legionnaires of the 13th Demi-Brigade based in Djibouti. What a treat it will be for them! A daily dose of “Böhl”.) And then there’s yours faithfully, Canis medicus, planning an evacuation in ~3 months time.

An era comes to an end. The fellowship has been sweet—one with another, in Christ. It will be missed; but we’ll continue to walk with Christ together, though scattered. The three of us will soon join our DAWGbrothers of the Diaspora, located in North and South America, Asia, and Europe. Headed out to bigger and better things, God willing, to do what He says and to go where He sends. But this will not mean the end of fellowship. No, this will not mean the end of spiritual union. For wherever we are, into whatever fellowship God brings us, in whichever body of Christ we take root, there we intend to …

Be devoted to one another
in brotherly love.
Romans 12:10

For that is what the Scriptures command all of us to be involved in, …

… not forsaking
our own assembling together,
… but encouraging one another;
and all the more
as you see
the day drawing near.
Hebrews 10:25

The Bible sees it as is a given and takes it for granted. This kind of loving fellowship is the hallmark of the body of Christ.

Now as to the
love of the brethren,
you have no need
for anyone to write to you,
for you yourselves
are taught by God
to love one another; ….
But we urge you, brethren,
to excel still more.
1 Thessalonians 4:9–10

In the third century, Tertullian quoted unbelievers as being struck by the Christians’ fellowship (Apology 39.6): “Vide … ut invicem se diligant” (“See how they love one another”). DAWGshows are impressive! In any time, in any place. May there be more of those. Till the dawn of THE greatest fellowship that will be upon us soon and very soon. Eternal. Supernal. Spiritual. Continual. Peaceful. Blissful.

And until that day, here on earth, …

Let love of the brethren continue.

Hebrews 13:1

TEXT!

Many a happy hour I have spent in this building—Aberdeen University’s Special Libraries and Archives. This is a fascinating place! A collection of over 4,000 manuscripts and archives, dating from antiquity to the 21st century: an outstanding collection of medieval and early modern texts, relating to science, medicine, philosophy, as well as an important gathering of ancient oriental specimens, papyri, and ostraca (broken pots with writing on them). The University itself, dating from the late 1400s, generated a significant number of those documents.

It was indeed a delightful experience to pore through ancient books on preaching, at least one of which made it into my thesis. A book by John Wilkins (1651) with the most impressive title: ECCLESIASTES, or A discourse concerning the Gift of PREACHING As it fals under the Rules of Art: Shewing The most proper Rules and Directions, for Method, Invention, Books, Expressions, whereby a Minister may be furnished with such abilities as may make him a Workman that needs not to be ashamed. Very seasonable for these Times, wherein the Harvest is great, and the skilful Labourers but few.

Repository for posterity. Texts are particularly suited for the purpose of preservation that those in the future may profit thereby. Unlike speech, for which the hearer has to be in physical proximity of the speaker—within earshot—texts can move. Across space, across time. The mobility of texts enable them to speak to any and to all who volunteer to read.

No wonder God chose to work among His people primarily through a text. Though the Word—the ultimate revelation of God—is the Son, Jesus Christ, in whom dwells the fullness of deity, we see this incarnate Word only through the inscripturated Word, the Bible.

The Bible. The Text. Written, archived, disseminated. Under the governance of the Spirit. Read, preached, applied. Under the governance of the Spirit.

It is no surprise, then, that the Bible itself affirms the validity of its content for all generations.

These words, which
I am commanding you today,
shall be on your heart.
You shall teach them diligently
to your sons
and shall talk of them
when you sit in your house
and when you walk by the way
and when you lie down a
nd when you rise up.
Deuteronomy 6:6–7

For whatever was written
in earlier times
was written for our instruction ….
Romans 15:4

Indeed, the entire ancient text of the Scriptures is archived for our gain.

All Scripture is inspired by God
and profitable for teaching,
for reproof, for correction,
for training in righteousness;
so that the (wo)man of God
may be adequate,
equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 3:16–17

Earnestly must we read this text. Diligently must we heed this text. For in it are the words of life.

Sing them over again to me,
Wonderful words of life,
Let me more of their beauty see,
Wonderful words of life;
Words of life and beauty
Teach me faith and duty.
Philip P. Bliss, 1874

May this text be our focus, our lamp, our delight. For its contents …

They are more desirable
than gold, yes,
than much fine gold.
Sweeter also than honey
and the drippings
of the honeycomb.
Psalm 19:10

Practical. Prescriptive. Priceless. Potent. Protective. Purifying. Only this Text. And, of course, providential. From the hand of God. Only this Text.

So, this week, don’t forget to pay attention to that sermon from this sublime Text. (And thank your pastor for his hard work!)

FOOD!

Another culinary pièce de résistance from the kitchen of my good friends, the Morgans. Chocolate chip-pecan-coconut pie.

Chocolate! Drool-worthy. Lick-inducing. Bite-delicious.

Chocolate! Theobroma cacao. That’s the plant that gives us the good stuff. The first word denoting the genus of this precious plant means “Food of the gods”. Amen! “Theobromine” is an alkaloid in cocoa and chocolate, a stimulant with mood-elevating effects. Another equally invigorating, but minor, constituent is “Anandamide”—from the Sanskrit, ananda = bliss!

If you didn’t know it already, let me tell you that it is not chocolate, theobromine, anandamide, or any of your drugs of choice du jour— inhaled, ingested, or injected—that can provide true delight.

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

Indeed! It is in God that true, lasting, eternal happiness can be had. It is in a right relationship with one’s Creator that fulfillment is found. It is in getting right with the King that His blessings are bestowed.

And the first step towards that end is taken when we place our trust in Christ, believing that He died and rose again, paying the full, final penalty for our sins. Jesus said:

“I am the living bread that
came down out of heaven;
if anyone eats of this bread,
he will live forever.”
John 6:51

And not just eternal life. Life-purpose in His plan. Joy in His presence. Security in His protection. Peace in His providence.

For He has satisfied
the thirsty soul,
And the hungry soul
He has filled
with what is good.
Psalm 107:9

From His hand comes everything that is good. Even chocolate! Therefore we give thanks to God …

… who gives food to all flesh,
For His lovingkindness
is everlasting!
Psalm 136:25

And for believers who continue to seek and to serve God, walking with Him, the promises of God are even more potent.

No good thing
does He withhold
from those who walk uprightly.
Psalm 84:11

No good thing withheld! Imagine that! But conditioned upon walking uprightly, walking with integrity, walking according to His Word.

Man shall not live
on bread alone,
but on every word
that proceeds
out of the mouth of God.
Matthew 4:4

If our spiritual sustenance is God’s Word, and if …

… the kingdom of God
is not eating and drinking …
Romans 14:17

… and if you, like me, are in need of being reminded constantly about this in the midst of life’s bustle and business, its disorder and din, its madness and messiness, why not consider a sacrificial act of discipline this season of Lent to focus yourself on matters spiritual? Traditionally the church has, over the millennia of its existence, prepared for Easter by self-examination and discipline during Lent—intentional and sustained acts of self-control from a heart of grateful devotion to God. So why not give it a try this year?

Fasting? Financial restraint? Increase in giving? Intensity in Scripture memorization? Self-discipline regarding a habit? Self-control regarding an excess? Engagement in corporate prayer? Exercising solitude? Assuming silence? Abstaining?

… discipline yourself
for the purpose of godliness;
… godliness is profitable
for all things.
1 Timothy 4:7–8

Disciplined. To do His will. To seek Him. To serve Him. To find satisfaction in Him alone.

Jesus said …
“My food is to do the will
of Him who sent Me
and to accomplish His work.”
John 4:34

Bliss. Not in food. Not in chocolate. But in the will of God. Through the Word of God.