5 things I was doing 10 Years Ago

When Kelly ended this post with the question, "You?" I took it as license to copy her idea:

1. Living at home in Rockford, MI to save money on room and board in college.
2. Trying to figure out which crowd to hang out with at said conservative Bible college: the TR's, the group that when to Mars Hill when Rob Bell was still up and coming, the international students and their friends, or group that went to my old church (I had started attending an OPC church with my parents).
3. Not really fitting in with any of them but still desperately trying.
4. Doing home construction on the side when I didn't have to study, in the dead of winter in Michigan.
5. Had been playing the bongo's for a while and had just started picking up my dad's guitar and learning how to play.

Safely Through Another Week??

Kelly and I, as well as Chad, talk often about the old songs we grew up with in church, because we're MK's and PK's. For the most part, I grew up in a megachurch, but it was the Christian Reformed brand of megachurch, which couldn't be quite as progressive as many other megachurches were being in the 90's. So while we did the Marantha praise songs, as they were called, we also still sang a lot of hymns. One that we did not sing but I still remember being automatically turned off by the title and hoping to never ever sing, was "Safely Through Another Week." Here are the lyrics: (I dare you to go here and listen to it!)

Safely through another week God has brought us on our way;
Let us now a blessing seek, on th’approaching Sabbath day;
Day of all the week the best, emblem of eternal rest,
Day of all the week the best, emblem of eternal rest.

Mercies multiplied each hour through the week our praise demand;
Guarded by almighty power, fed and guided by His hand;
Though ungrateful we have been, only made returns of sin,
Though ungrateful we have been, only made returns of sin.

While we pray for pardoning grace, through the dear Redeemer’s Name,
Show Thy reconciled face, shine away our sin and shame;
From our worldly cares set free, may we rest this night with Thee,
From our worldly cares set free, may we rest this night with Thee.

Here we come Thy Name to praise, let us feel Thy presence near,
May Thy glory meet our eyes, while we in Thy house appear:
Here afford us, Lord, a taste of our everlasting feast,
Here afford us, Lord, a taste of our everlasting feast.

When the morn shall bid us rise, may we feel Thy presence near:
May Thy glory meet our eyes, when we in Thy house appear:
There afford us, Lord, a taste of our everlasting feast,
There afford us, Lord, a taste of our everlasting feast.

May Thy Gospel’s joyful sound conquer sinners, comfort saints;
May the fruits of grace abound, bring relief for all complaints;
Thus may all our Sabbaths prove till we join the church above,
Thus may all our Sabbaths prove till we join the church above!

OK, so, by FAR the worst line in the while song is the title line.

Why? Because why do I care so much about "th'approaching Sabbath day" if what I'm living for, my goal for the week, is to make it through safely? If each day is safe and easy, my simple routine where none of my feathers get rustled, then the importance of a day of rest and re-connection decreases.

The attitude of the rest of the song is more fitting to the person who struggles with personal issues, toils to make ends meet, wrestles with his cross, suffers pain for the glory of God. For that person, "a taste of our everlasting feast" every Sunday would sure take on more meaning. That person treasures the day he meets with his brothers and sisters in Christ, hears from God, meets with God, and is strengthened for more Kingdom work for the next week.

Only pray to be brought safely through the week if you're also praying to be challenged and developed into the person God wants you to be.

Pax Romana Today

If you remember anything from history class in school your probably have heard of the Pax Romana. The Roman Empire was established across a great part of the world right around the time of Jesus. As part of their contribution to the world, as any trip to Spaceship Earth will tell you, they united the world like never before by building a road system. It's similar to how the United States was changed when the interstate highway system was developed. Into that world, Christ was born. And people came from far and wide, FAST. It didn't take long for him to have a following of thousands. After he left, on Pentecost, there were people from all over the world who happened to be in Jerusalem, and their lives were changed.

Today, far, far more than the Roman road system, or the interstate highway, we have the information super highway, and more and more churches are using it to spread the gospel, the good news of Jesus Christ. Since the world has gone mobile and to the web, the church should be so also. And many ARE. It is absolutely amazing how the church today is capturing the web and technology for God's purpose and His Kingdom. Later this week, I'll blog about one example. For now, let's just be thankful for the ingenuity and creativity that God has given man, and for how he's enabled the church to use the information superhighway (this term is SO late 90's) to spread His fame.

Running Mind Dump

I am trying to muster up the discipline to get into a running routine. Our schedules make it somewhat challenging. I managed to put Aidan in our jogging stroller, strap him in, don my ipod with the workout playlist, and set off into the afternoon sun. Thoughts...

--I always enjoy running, I just don't like doing it early in the AM and evenings don't work well for the most part.
--I listened to a live version of "The Way it Is" by Bruce Hornsby--twice. It's absolutely, hands down, one of the best jams ever. The ending is sooooooo intense! Wish there were more Christian jam bands. The closest I've found is Waterdeep's live albums from the 90's.
--It is possible to listen to Bruce Hornsby and have a God-moment.
--I kept running beside the stroller every now and then to check on Aidan, and eventually he fell asleep. There was a powerful moment where I thought about me as Aidan's dad--working hard, exerting myself, running, not necessarily on his behalf (this is where the metaphor breaks down). I thought about God, who never slumbers or sleeps. Our heavenly Father is always working, sustaining, providing, busy, being Daddy, even when we're sleeping.
--My mind also wandered to Rob Bell's first Nooma video where he had his son strapped in and held him close to his chest, and was the strength and encouragement that helped him through the middle of the raging storm.
--It all made me want to do more running with Aidan. Today a friend at church talked about he and his wife's recent trip to Africa where they climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro. An amazing adventure. I'm so excited that I will get to take Aidan on more adventures! Even going out running with him is so fun!
--what if I rested in my sonship of Jesus the way Aidan rests in his sonship to me?

Much More Eloquently

My small but still rambling post yesterday was supposed to communicate the same point as this, but John Piper does it so much more eloquently.

Quick thought on President Obama's Inauguration

There's tons to be said, but it's late and my bedtime.

Obviously today was a turning point, a historical day. As if you hadn't heard that word 100 times today. It represents a triumph of sorts and we are right to feel hopeful. President Obama and his many colleagues may be instrumental in turning around some of the downturns our country has taken. But ultimately, Obama is not our hope. After watching/reading lots of footage today, many people seem to be resting their hopes on one man. While he is a great man deserving honor and respect, obedience and cooperation--and our prayers (1 Tim. 2),--he is a man. Obama's ability--any ruler's ability--to be successful in his role, depends on his relationship and obedience to Jesus Christ, the King of Kings.

Interesting times have yet to unfold before us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus. Let us seek Him together so that our land may be healed (2 Chronicles 7:14).

To Die is Gain

One good thing about having gone to a Bible College is that there is a good amount of students who go on to follow the call of Jesus to give their lives away for the sake of the gospel. Many go (or return) overseas as missionaries. One such couple I knew has been ministering in Africa for a few years now and posted this over the weekend. I thought it tied in really well with yesterday's sermon at Grace.