Heidelberg Meditations - Day Four

"That I, with body and soul, both in life and death, am not my own"

"and death"

In one of Tim Keller's sermons he talks about how bravely Christian martyrs have faced death. He compares the bravery of the martyrs with the desperation of Jesus the night before he was crucified. Keller's point is Jesus wasn't just facing death. He wasn't sweating blood because of the nails or the tree. The blood and agony were because of the cup. He knew he was about to experience hell and be separated from God the Father. For the first time in eternity, the Trinity was going to know separation. The reason so many martyrs have faced death so bravely is because they knew their Savior had taken death's sting. There is no longer anything to fear because the only thing that scared Jesus has been removed from the believer's reality. Death cannot contain Jesus, and because we are united with him, it cannot contain us. Death and the grave have no sting or victory.

Believing the worst thing that could happen to us is actually the passage into the faithful arms of the Savior frees us to live radical lives of service to him and our neighbors. There is truly nothing to be afraid of because Jesus, like David, has won the battle against the giant. Like the Israelites, we win because he won.

We belong to him. We are so tightly united with him we can say we sit in heavenly places. Death will never separate us from his goodness.

Conversations With Joshua

At the breakfast table ...

Me - "Joshua, do you love Andrew."

Joshua - "We love him. But sometimes we don't love him. But we always love him."

In the meantime, Andrew just kept eating oatmeal with his hands.

Heidelberg Meditations Day Three

"That I, with body and soul, both in life and death, am not my own"

"in life"

My pastor spent several minutes on this point Sunday. He talked about not being afraid or worried about death, but consistently worried and scared in life. It is overwhelmingly peaceful and comforting to know I don't have to be scared of death, but the gospel also promises our lives are his. All of our doubts and fears, highs and lows, wins and losses belong to him. At the end of the day, we make our choices and do our best, but even in those decisions we can know he is performing his perfect will in our lives. He even weaves our failings into his redemption story.

He has a plan for our lives. He has a plan for our specific personality and gifts. We are not accidents. We are fearfully and wonderfully made to live lives that glorify him. The details of our lives, from the first step out of the bed in the morning to the last tooth brushed at night, are his.

Psalm 139

1 O LORD, you have searched me
and you know me.

2 You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.

3 You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.

4 Before a word is on my tongue
you know it completely, O LORD.

5 You hem me in—behind and before;
you have laid your hand upon me.

6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too lofty for me to attain.

7 Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?

8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, ^[a] you are there.

9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,

10 even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.

11 If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me
and the light become night around me,"

12 even the darkness will not be dark to you;
the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to you.

13 For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother's womb.

14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.

15 My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,

16 your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me
were written in your book
before one of them came to be.

17 How precious to ^[b] me are your thoughts, O God!
How vast is the sum of them!

18 Were I to count them,
they would outnumber the grains of sand.
When I awake,
I am still with you.

19 If only you would slay the wicked, O God!
Away from me, you bloodthirsty men!

20 They speak of you with evil intent;
your adversaries misuse your name.

21 Do I not hate those who hate you, O LORD,
and abhor those who rise up against you?

22 I have nothing but hatred for them;
I count them my enemies.

23 Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.

24 See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.

My Friend

A good friend of mine, Thomas McKenzie lost his father a couple days ago. He is speaking at his dad's funeral today. He has been writing about his father and the emotions of losing him on his blog. It has been extremely moving. I thought I'd share the link for any of you who would be interested in reading. I'm sure Thomas would appreciate your prayers.

Thomas McKenzie

Heidelberg Devotionals - Day Two

"That I, with body and soul, both in life and death, am not my own"

"and soul"

All of me. My mind, my heart, my emotions, the very substance of who I am is his. It's his and it's safe. Because it isn't mine, I'm reminded of all I owe him. He has the right to require anything from me. He deserves nothing less than my all.

This realization would be terrifying outside of the grace of the gospel, because I don't give him all of me. The truth is, I don't only act like I belong to myself, I act like the whole world belongs to me and should give me my every wish. My soul should be condemned to hell, but it isn't. I'm not my own because I was bought with the precious blood of my Savior.

All I Owe
Words by Robert Murray McCheyne and Matthew Smith

When this passing world is done,
When has sunk yon glaring sun,
When we stand with Christ in glory,
Looking o'er life's finished story,
Then, Lord, shall I fully know,
Not till then, how much I owe.

All I owe you paid for me
From all I owe I’ve been set free
And all I owe proves your great mercy to me

When I stand before your throne,
Dressed in beauty not my own,
When I see you as you are
Love you with unsinning heart,
Then, Lord, shall I fully know,
Not till then, how much I owe.

All I owe you paid for me
From all I owe I’ve been set free
And all I owe proves your great mercy to me

Chosen not for good in me,
Wakened up from wrath to flee,
Hidden in the Savior's side,
By the Spirit sanctified,
Teach me, Lord, on earth to show,
By my love, how much I owe.

All I owe you paid for me
From all I owe I’ve been set free
And all I owe proves your great mercy to me

Not My Own - Heidelberg Meditations Day 1

"That I, with body and soul, both in life and death, am not my own"

One of the sweetest reliefs of the Christian life is the relief of knowing I'm not my own. As a new father, I would go into my son's room and make sure he was breathing. Occasionally I still make the trip. I put my hand on his chest just to feel the breath entering and leaving his lungs. If I believed his body and soul belonged to me, I'd just sleep in there, doing everything I could to make sure he was okay. This prayer keeps me sane, "Father, I know he is yours."

He's still under the impression I'm in control. A few nights ago he asked me to make sure the power wouldn't go out. We talked about Jesus and the storm and how he is in control of the power. I told him the power might go out, but Jesus will keep us safe. I'm thankful to know I'm not my own. I'm thankful to know I don't have to keep the power on or quiet the thunder.

"That I, with body"

And he cares about my body. One of the main differences between Christianity and other religions is our God became a man. Our bodies are good. We'll spend eternity in them. He cares about our health and well-being. He has promised he would feed us like the birds of the air and clothe us like the flowers of the field. We belong to him and he takes care of his own.

I'd love to read some of what inspires you. Feel free to comment.

Summertime With the Boys

Heidelberg Catecheism

Question 1. What is your only comfort in life and death?

Answer. That I with body and soul, both in life and death, am not my own, but belong unto my faithful Savior Jesus Christ; who, with his precious blood, has fully satisfied for all my sins, and delivered me from all the power of the devil; and so preserves me that without the will of my heavenly Father, not a hair can fall from my head; indeed, that all things must be subservient to my salvation, and therefore, by his Holy Spirit, he also assures me of eternal life, and makes me sincerely willing and ready, henceforth, to live unto him.

Our pastor used this question from the Heidelberg Cathecheism today in church. It is so rich. I haven't been writing much this summer, but I thought this would be a great place to begin again. My plan is to take phrases from this question (and hopefully others) and meditate on them on Abundant Redemption. I would love for you to contribute your thoughts as well. I'll get started tomorrow (or late tonight). Hopefully you'll join me.

A Classic Follow-up Conversation (from Grandma Shari)

Today Rebecca was trying to get Joshua to tell me he was sorry for throwing a game on the floor. He didn't want to. I tried to coax him a little bit and he told me "I'm just very sad."

I said, "It's no fun to be sad. If you learn to say you're sorry, you'll be happy."

Joshua said, "I don't want to be happy and I don't want to say sorry. I'm just very sad to talk to you."

I said, "Well, you know that Mommy probably isn't going to let me give you any jelly beans if you won't say you're sorry."

And Joshua said without hesitation, "I'm sorry, Grandma Shari."

Conversations With Joshua

Yesterday was a bad day for the little guy. Lots of discipline because of a lack of sharing and obeying. This conversation took place after his 300th time out. We had tried everything else, so I figured I'd give religion a chance.

Me - "Joshua, Jesus says we are supposed to obey our mommies and daddies."

Joshua - "He didn't tell me."

Me - "He says it in the bible. That's how he talks to us."

Joshua - "He didn't say that. I tell you he didn't."

Me - "Joshua, he did. And he also said he would help us obey our parents."

Joshua - "I don't want him to help me."

So, go ahead and keep us in your prayers. We do want his help (and we need it ... badly).

Get This Album

Feeling Cold

I'm still not sure I've recovered from this last year (teachers are on a different calendar than the rest of the world). It was the most challenging year I've had as an adult. It took its toll on me. I think I'm starting to feel it lift a little, but I still feel the chill in my heart. I'm thankful to know I serve a God who has completely accepted me in my dark and struggling places. I haven't always known about the surety of his love. I'm thankful his love for me isn't based on my performance or ability.

Some friends of mine met a guy who looked like Keith Green in Denver a few weeks ago. It reminded me of Keith and that reminded me of this song. It's my prayer and confession tonight.

My Eyes Are Dry by Keith Green

My eyes are dry
My faith is old
My heart is hard
My prayers are cold
And I know how I ought to be
Alive to you and dead to me

But what can be done
For an old heart like mine
Soften it up
With oil and wine
The oil is you, your spirit of love
Please wash me anew
With the wine of your blood

Flannery O'Connor Quote

"The truth does not change according to our ability to stomach it." - Flannery O'Connor

Forgiven Sinners

"Aren't you thankful Jesus addresses you as a forgiven sinner instead of a condemned sinner?" - Scotty Smith (paraphrase from Sunday's sermon)

More Conversations With Joshua

Yesterday Joshua was sitting on the toilet. This conversation ensued.

Joshua "Daddy, daddy, daddy, daddy!"

Me (walking in from the kitchen) "What do you need?"

Joshua "Some privacy."

And for any of you who think the Ben Linus comparison is over the top.

Rebecca hosted playdate today which is where about four hundred kids come over and play together. They all just left and Joshua told me about how he had his people over to play. I'm just saying.

Conversation With Joshua

Today Joshua went to the YMCA child care room. By state law the workers aren't allowed to help get a kids pants down so they can use the restroom. She was trying to get him to do it himself because he had to use the bathroom.

YMCA worker - "Joshua, God made you and gave the ability to pull your own pants down."

Joshua - "God made me, but my mommy and daddy pull my pants down."

Date Night

Anyone who thinks Five Guys burgers are as good as In-N-Out has lost a little bit of respect from me when it comes to judging burgers. Sorry, mom. They were very good and are surely the best fast food burger in Nashville, but not In-N-Out.

After dinner we went and saw Hancock. Iron Man, Hulk, Batman, and Hancock are out this summer. Do all of the superhero movies have anything to do with it being an election year?

Speaking of election year, check out this site with a story of Obama changing his middle name.

Can You Give Me Some Insight?

Last week at the IMAX presentation I overheard this conversation.

Usher - "Should I close the exit doors."

Manager - "That's affirmative! It's showtime!"

The usher rolled her eyes.

Here's my question (for any of you to take a shot at answering). Why do we, as a society, tend to laugh at those who take their jobs especially seriously? The affirmative, showtime quote reminded me of something you would hear from a Jim Carey character and not an actual person. But I did hear it, and she wasn't joking.

Does that strike you as funny? If your answer is affirmative, why?

Showtime...

The Shaq

You can see more about The Shaq here.

For the record, I don't think you're stupid if you liked 'The Shack.' Just wanted to be clear.

T.S. Mooney Quote

"The grace of God reveals One who loves us so much as to have made Calvary possible, but who hates sin so much as to make Calvary necessary."
-T.S. Mooney