Last week the announcement of the birth of my third born appeared in the Hudson Valley News, with a picture of all three of my children, James, Caroline, and now Nathaniel. In the announcement, we noted how thankful we were for the arrival of Nathaniel. We considered him a heritage from the Lord (Proverbs 127:3). And we believe that. We believe that children are a blessing and a joy, even when they don’t feel like it sometimes. One of the things my wife and I regret having married later (for full disclosure, I’m 34), is that we most likely will have fewer children than we would have liked. That’s just the nature of biology. But, because we consider children to be a great blessing, we wanted to have as many as the good Lord would give us. When people note how great our “spacing” of our children are (4, 2, and now 1 month), we note that we didn’t space them at all, and don’t plan to. We will take however as many as we are given because, we do not consider them a burden but a blessing.

Now, we know we’re a little unusual. Our three children were born at home with midwives after all (you know you’re different when at the Social Security Administration they cannot fathom why you just didn’t apply for a Social Security card at the hospital… *sigh*). We know that most people in our western culture don’t see children as a blessing but as a burden. How often have I heard “we’re not going to have kids until we can afford them,” as if there is a magical day when you have sufficient money for all the unpredictable things about children. How often have I heard, “it wouldn’t be fair to bring children up in this world,” as if the history of our civilization was perfect until now, and how we can begin to predict what it will be like in the future. There is no good time for children from a selfish perspective but from a position that sees children as a blessing, then anytime and, every time is a good time for children.

Yet, some only see children as a blessing if they are genetically perfect. If there is a problem in the chromosome’s somewhere, then you’re not fit for life and are a curse rather than a blessing. Atheist apologist Richard Dawkins, recently responded to a Twitter post from a woman who was ruminating on the “ethical dilemma” of having a child with Down’s Syndrome. Dawkins wrote, “Abort it and try again. It would be immoral to bring it into the world if you have the choice.” While he argued he wasn’t channeling the eugenics thinking of Hitler and simply noting that it would be against the “welfare of the child” to allow them entrance into this world, it is worth noting that Dawkins clearly feels that only some children are blessings. And that is the viewpoint of much of the west. Statistically 90% of babies who are discovered in utero to be Down Syndrome are being aborted. Now, I am very thankful that my three children seem healthy. I cannot know what the future may hold, but I would never not bring a child into the world because they had any physical issue as if I am the judge of what quality of life might be for them. If the Lord gave me a Down’s Syndrome baby, it might mean different parenting tactics, but it wouldn’t mean I would love them any less or think them still a blessing.

This brings us back to a worldview discussion. Our culture has made an arbitrary distinction between fact and value. It’s a fact that this human inside the womb is alive, but it’s only a person at a later date, and may never be a person based on its limitations. Yet, for those who see all children as a blessing, there is not distinction between the fact of life in the womb, and the value of intrinsic personhood. They are a person no matter what limitations they might experience. And therefore, they are worthy of our care and support and even our joy.

Truly children are a blessing. There are trials and tribulations with raising them. Little sleep, little money, little free time. But the dividends are priceless. I thank God that Nathaniel was born healthy. But, even if he was not, I would still thank the Lord for giving him to me, and allowing me to treasure him and enjoy him. Perhaps if we learned to treasure and enjoy all of our children once again, we might find this world a little brighter.

Greetings Faithful Readers!

Please consider sponsoring me in the Walk for Life 2014 in support of the CareNet Pregnancy Resource Center of the Hudson Valley. You can sponsor me here.

Here’s some more information about CareNet and how your donation can help:

Care Net Pregnancy Center of the Hudson Valley is a non-profit ministry that has served the Dutchess County area since 1986. Our mission is to empower people to make life-affirming choices. Our clients are served without regard to age, race, income, nationality, religious affiliation, disability or other arbitrary circumstances. We provide free, confidential counseling and support in a comforting environment. We educate our clients, helping them to make fully informed decisions, and assist them in developing positive solutions focused on their well-being.

Our services include:

• care for women and men facing unplanned pregnancies
• free pregnancy tests
• medically accurate facts about abortion
• referrals for free ultrasounds to confirm pregnancy
• pregnancy options peer coaching
• adoption option information
• referrals for housing, medical care, job training, social services, adoptions
• parenting classes
• material resource program
• Sexual Integrity Workshops
• Abortion Recovery Support Groups for women and men

Platt, formerly pastor of The Church at Brook Hills in Birmingham, AL and now President of the Southern Baptist Convention’s International Mission Board, takes a look at the American Dream and compares it to the teaching of Scripture. From the blurb of the book:

It’s easy for American Christians to forget how Jesus said his followers would actually live, what their new lifestyle would actually look like. They would, he said, leave behind security, money, convenience, even family for him. They would abandon everything for the gospel. They would take up their crosses daily…

BUT WHO DO YOU KNOW WHO LIVES LIKE THAT? DO YOU?

In Radical, David Platt challenges you to consider with an open heart how we have manipulated the gospel to fit our cultural preferences. He shows what Jesus actually said about being his disciple–then invites you to believe and obey what you have heard. And he tells the dramatic story of what is happening as a “successful” suburban church decides to get serious about the gospel according to Jesus.

Radical Together by David Platt

Platt continues his series of challenging books by helping us consider what true discipleship looks like. From the book blurb:What did Jesus really mean when he said, “Follow Me”?

In this new book, David Platt, author of the New York Times bestselling book, Radical: Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream, contends that multitudes of people around the world culturally think they are Christians yet biblically are not followers of Christ.

Scores of men, women, and children have been told that becoming a follower of Jesus simply involves believing certain truths or saying certain words. As a result, churches today are filled with people who believe they are Christians . . . but aren’t. We want to be disciples as long as doing so does not intrude on our lifestyles, our preferences, our comforts, and even our religion.

Revealing a biblical picture of what it means to truly be a Christian, Follow Me explores the gravity of what we must forsake in this world, as well as the indescribable joy and deep satisfaction to be found when we live for Christ.

The call to follow Jesus is not simply an invitation to pray a prayer; it’s a summons to lose your life—and to find new life in him. This book will show you what such life actually looks like.

Today marks the 13th anniversary of the terrorist attacks in the United States on September 11, 2001. Memorials will occur around the world, especially in the United States where the attack occurred. It’s our new, “where were you when…” event. We’ll always remember where we were when the twin towers fell. 

I recall the event vividly in my own mind even today. I was in class at Detroit Baptist Theological Seminary that day. I was the only Canadian at the school that day. It was if what I heard and saw truly were not happening. I waited for almost 4 hours at the border trying to re-enter Canada. The after effects were immense as crossing the border for a few weeks after that was almost impossible.

It was truly a world event that has affected us all even if we do not realize it. What struck me the most after the event was more theological than anything else. Many church leaders could not fathom that God could have had anything to do with that tragedy. That it must have been out of His control. Now, I know I am not saying anything here that is new. In fact, better men than I have eloquently explained how a sovereign God did control these events. But I want to focus on a few passages of Scripture just to remind us once again, that we serve a God that is sovereign and in control, of the good, and the bad.

Amos 3:6 often resonates in my mind as I think of the relationship of God to world events. It reads, “When a trumpet sounds in a city, do not the people tremble? When disaster comes to a city, has not the Lord caused it” (NIV). Disasters, calamities, and suffering, are not outside of God’s control. We do not serve a God who is impotent, but a God who is omnipotent!

Daniel 4:34b-35 also reminds us of the sovereign control of God. “His dominion is an eternal dominion; his kingdom endures from generation to generation. All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing. He does as he pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back his hand or say to him ‘What have you done’” (NIV)? Nebuchadnezzar, the major world leader at the time, realized that God is sovereign and in control of all events. He does as He pleases.

There are many other passages which demonstrate that God is sovereign. He is not weak like Open Theists would argue. Our God does in fact know the future. He knows the future because He has planned the future! That is designed to be a comforting thought, not a troubling thought. God is in control of all events in world history. Even 9/11.

On this 13th anniversary of a terrible event in human history, let us remind ourselves that if God was not in control of that situation, then we serve an impotent God. I do not want to serve an impotent God but an omnipotent God! What an amazing God we serve, the sovereign Lord of the universe! Blessed be the name of the Lord!

This post is a little old from Trevin Wax, but I thought it was appropriate as a reminder of how best to pray for your pastor. So, these become requests from me personally, but view them as what your own pastor might ask for you to pray:

About nine years ago, I developed the following list of prayer requests that I gave to every willing hand. I haven’t passed them out in at least four years, but I decided to resurrect them. Why? I need prayer…badly! And so does your pastor. As leaders in the church, we have unique and often more intense temptations (“Strike the shepherd and the sheep will scatter”). So will you consider praying for your pastor the way I ask my people to pray for me?

4. That I would continue to grow in the character qualities of a man of God (1 Tim. 3:1-7; 2 Tim. 2:22-26; Titus 1:5-9).

5. That I would have a consistent, powerful, diligent life of private prayer; that I would grow in my dependence on the Holy Spirit.

6. That the Lord would give me great diligence in study and sermon preparation, making the most of my time.

7. That my preaching and teaching ministry would be empowered by the Holy Spirit; that the Lord would effect real change in our lives through it; and that by it we would be more endeared to Christ.

8. That I would boldly and faithfully and humbly and joyfully and intentionally share the gospel with the non-Christians in my social orbit.

9. That I would see Jesus as supremely valuable, my greatest treasure, and as my dear friend.

Preparing for the Lord’s Supper

On Sunday, September 7 we will celebrate the Lord’s Supper at our church. Far too often, it is something that comes and goes with little notice. This is disappointing as it is meant to be a capstone to our worship service. As we gather together to partake of the Lord’s Supper, we join together spiritually with believers from all places celebrating the death and resurrection of our Lord. Let us consider first what the Lord’s Supper entails, and how to prepare for it. Here we quote from our BFC confession which states,

“The Lord’s Supper is an ordinance of the New Testament,1 in which, by the giving and receiving of bread and wine, according to the appointment of Jesus Christ, His death is proclaimed.2 Those who worthily partake in this remembrance of Him feed upon Him to their spiritual nourishment and growth in grace,3 have their union and communion with Him confirmed, and testify and renew their thankfulness and commitment to God4 and their mutual love and fellowship each with the other as members of the same mystical body.5

The Scriptures direct that each one spiritually examine himself before partaking of the bread and the cup ‘until He come.'”⁶

¹ Luke 22:19,20
² 1Cor.11:26
³ John 6:55,56
⁴ 1Cor.10:21
⁵ 1Cor.10:17
⁶ 1Cor.11:26

Spiritual Nourishment
There’s some wonderful truth revealed here. While the celebration of the Lord’s Supper is an ordinance, that is a command of Jesus for the church, it is something that is both a remembrance and a joy. Consider how we remember the death and resurrection of Jesus, but that by participating together we grow in grace and feed upon Him spiritually. We know that the elements aren’t really the body and blood of Christ but that they signify the blood and body. And so we do not feed on Christ physically but spiritually. Consider these extended words of John Piper,

“The Lord’s Supper expresses the value of Christ by nourishing our life in Christ. If we come to Christ over and over and say, ‘By this, O Christ, I feed on you. By this, O Jesus Christ, I nourish my life in you. By this I share in all the grace you bought for me with your own blood and body’ (1 Corinthians 10:16) – if we come to Christ over and over with this longing and this conviction in our heart: that here he nourishes us by faith, then the Lord’s Supper will be a deep and wonderful act of worship. Nothing shows the worth and preciousness of Christ so much as when we come to him to feed our hungry souls.

Where do we see this in the text? We see it in the fact that the Lord’s Supper is a supper. We are eating and drinking. Why are we eating and drinking? Eating and drinking are for nourishing and sustaining life. And here Jesus tells us that the bread we are eating is his body, and the cup we are drinking is the new covenant in his blood. So the eating and drinking are no ordinary eating and drinking. The nourishment that is in the Lord’s Supper comes not from bread and wine (or juice). Paul already said in verse 22 that we should take care of our bodily needs by eating at home before we come. This supper is not about physical nourishment. It is about spiritual nourishment.”

Union with Christ
More than nourishment, we see too that we recommit to our union with Christ. Through our bond to Jesus Christ, orchestrated by the Holy Spirit, we receive all the blessing of justification, adoption, sanctification, and other elements, and are both objectively realized in those, but also subjectively. Christ’s alien righteousness has been bonded to us as we enjoy this relationship. Participating in the Lord’s supper reminds us of this mystical bond we have with Jesus Christ. It is not just a reminder of our sin or a proclamation of the death of Christ, but as we are nourished in the bread and the cup, we actually are reminded of the joy we experience as being part of the family of God!

Fellowship of the Saints
Together, as we celebrate as a body of believers in our local church, we are bound together with brothers and sisters in all time and in all places celebrating our union with Christ and with each other. The beautiful truth that we celebrate this nourishing memorial together until He comes, is a reminder of the church bound together, despite differences of theology and practice, that we are all part of the body of Christ.

There is far more to the Lord’s Supper than just a mere observance of ritual and tradition. It is a proclamation of the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ. It is something that helps us grow in our sanctification as we are nourished by Christ’s spiritual presence with us. It is something that we do together to remind us of our relationship as the body of Christ. On that note, I will say, my burden is that one day, we consider celebrating the Lord’s Supper every week as we see the wonderful blessing of being nourished in the body and blood of Christ as we gather weekly (Acts 2:46).

That being said, how can we prepare for the Lord’s Supper this coming Lord’s Day? Let me give you a few things to consider (adapted from here):

1) Prepare your heart through the meditation upon Scripture. Before you come Sunday, consider reading and thinking upon these Scriptures:

Psalm 6, 32, 38, 51, 102, 130, 143
Isaiah 53, 55, 59
Gospel of John 13-17
Romans 3, 6, 8, 12

2) Pray for God to prepare your heart. Something like this:

My Lord Jesus Christ, I have fallen; I long to be strong. For this purpose You have instituted this meal, to help us rekindle and strengthen our faith. Therefore, you have called me to receive it. Lord, it is Your word that invites me. You know my weakness and failings completely. You Yourself have said: Come unto Me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. I now come to be helped. Amen.