"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom," we are told in Ecclesiastes. This, of course, is true. But the fear leading to wisdom is not fear to anxiety, but fear to awe. To be filled with awe is to know the one who you stand before, and to know acceptance. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom because fear of the Lord is simply the recognition that the Lord is God - the God of glory. Fear, in this proper sense, undermines our handholds and our footholds, leaving us with no ground on which to stand, argue or fight. Fear is the beginning of wisdom because this fear leaves us undone - calling out, "I believe, help me in my unbelief," as well as "Without you, I can do nothing" (John 15:5).
Friday, September 3
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Spiritual Life
Friday, September 3, 2010 at 9:41 am
The Fear of the Lord
Posted by Kyle Strobel | Comments (0) |
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Tuesday, August 31, 2010 at 9:26 pm
Prayer & Mission
Posted by Jamin Goggin | Comments (0) |
"Prayer is related to mission because it is to the extent that we have discovered who God is and how much a knowledge and love of God is constitutive of a comprehensive humanism and a full and complete existence that we suffer from, and are struck by, situations in which God is not known or loved. At the basis of the missionary attitude lies a certain scandal with respect to the reversal of values in which God holds such a small place in people's various preoccupations while other things hold such a large one."
"There is therefore no opposition between contemplation and mission. The notion that there would be, and that one would have to choose between them, is absurd. On the contrary, mission appears as the self-unfolding of contemplation."
-Jean Danielou, Prayer: The Mission of the Church
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"Prayer is related to mission because it is to the extent that we have discovered who God is and how much a knowledge and love of God is constitutive of a comprehensive humanism and a full and complete existence that we suffer from, and are struck by, situations in which God is not known or loved. At the basis of the missionary attitude lies a certain scandal with respect to the reversal of values in which God holds such a small place in people's various preoccupations while other things hold such a large one."
"There is therefore no opposition between contemplation and mission. The notion that there would be, and that one would have to choose between them, is absurd. On the contrary, mission appears as the self-unfolding of contemplation."
-Jean Danielou, Prayer: The Mission of the Church
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Tuesday, August 17, 2010 at 9:25 am
Being a "Generous" Evangelical
Posted by Kyle Strobel | Comments (0) |
The word "generous" has been thrown around a lot lately. For many, its use highlights a growing lack of doctrinal orthodoxy, which, in many cases, may very well be true. There are certainly many disconcerting things that happen under the label of "generosity." This highlights an interesting issue between members of the church. I can't help but notice that Paul and James, as two of the most obvious examples, spill a lot of ink over the issue of unity. So how are we to think about this?
I have come up with something of an arbitrary delineation of evangelicals, and while it may be highly simplistic, I think it does call attention to an important issue. As I see it, broadly, there are two types of evangelicals - generous and not-generous. The demarcation has nothing to do with doctrinal orthodoxy, but simply with how one conceives onself in relation to the gospel. The generous evangelicals primarily see themselves under judgment by the gospel, while those who are not generous primarily understand the gospel as something they possess. Therefore, by owning the gospel, as it were, other views and positions are seen to be dangerous rather than potentially prophetic. Furthermore, the temptation the non-generous types have given in to is to apply God's own attributes to themselves. God is sovereign, in other words, and they find themselves at his right hand.
Complete article
The word "generous" has been thrown around a lot lately. For many, its use highlights a growing lack of doctrinal orthodoxy, which, in many cases, may very well be true. There are certainly many disconcerting things that happen under the label of "generosity." This highlights an interesting issue between members of the church. I can't help but notice that Paul and James, as two of the most obvious examples, spill a lot of ink over the issue of unity. So how are we to think about this?
I have come up with something of an arbitrary delineation of evangelicals, and while it may be highly simplistic, I think it does call attention to an important issue. As I see it, broadly, there are two types of evangelicals - generous and not-generous. The demarcation has nothing to do with doctrinal orthodoxy, but simply with how one conceives onself in relation to the gospel. The generous evangelicals primarily see themselves under judgment by the gospel, while those who are not generous primarily understand the gospel as something they possess. Therefore, by owning the gospel, as it were, other views and positions are seen to be dangerous rather than potentially prophetic. Furthermore, the temptation the non-generous types have given in to is to apply God's own attributes to themselves. God is sovereign, in other words, and they find themselves at his right hand.
Complete article
Thursday, August 5, 2010 at 10:57 am
Journey with Jesus
Posted by Kyle Strobel | Comments (0) |
I would like to highlight a new book by one of our board members, Larry Warner. 
Larry has written on the Ignatian Exercises from a Protestant standpoint, seeking to lead people through the exercises that is true to the Exercises themselves as well as the needs and emphases of Protestant believers. Few people know the Exercises as well as Larry, and he does an excellent job in the book to make them accessible to others. While I think many would get a lot out of this volume, if you know a spiritual director, I think they would benefit greatly from it. Larry's emphasis throughout the volume is that the Exercises are not something you should go through on your own, but should be part of guided interaction. Take a look and let us know what you think.
Complete article
I would like to highlight a new book by one of our board members, Larry Warner. Larry has written on the Ignatian Exercises from a Protestant standpoint, seeking to lead people through the exercises that is true to the Exercises themselves as well as the needs and emphases of Protestant believers. Few people know the Exercises as well as Larry, and he does an excellent job in the book to make them accessible to others. While I think many would get a lot out of this volume, if you know a spiritual director, I think they would benefit greatly from it. Larry's emphasis throughout the volume is that the Exercises are not something you should go through on your own, but should be part of guided interaction. Take a look and let us know what you think.
Complete article
Monday, July 26, 2010 at 11:44 am
Alone
Posted by Abbie Smith | Comments (2) |
To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything, and your heart will certainly be wrung and possibly be broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact, you must give your heart to no one, not even to an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements; lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket - safe, dark, motionless, airless - it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable. The alternative to tragedy, or at least to the risk of tragedy, is damnation. The only place outside of Heaven where you can be perfectly safe from all the dangers and perturbations of love is Hell.” CS Lewis, The Four Loves, 1960
I was counselling a young gal recently who worked at a well-known church and carried herself as a well-confidenced single girl. We were brainstorming about what she could do this particular evening to practice “enjoying God’s presence,” and I nonchalantly suggested a walk on the beach.
“That’d be nice, but the thought of people seeing me out there is too much to bear.
“What do you mean? Cause you’d start skipping, or something…or singing Jesus Loves Me?”
“No,” she chuckled. Just being by myself. I’m not good at that, and especially not good at letting people see me like that.”
“What about a movie, and then by the time it’s done it’ll be dark outside?”
“Yeah, but same thing…what would I do if someone saw me at the movies…by myself!?”
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Monday, August 9, 2010 at 11:05 am
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To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything, and your heart will certainly be wrung and possibly be broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact, you must give your heart to no one, not even to an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements; lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket - safe, dark, motionless, airless - it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable. The alternative to tragedy, or at least to the risk of tragedy, is damnation. The only place outside of Heaven where you can be perfectly safe from all the dangers and perturbations of love is Hell.” CS Lewis, The Four Loves, 1960
I was counselling a young gal recently who worked at a well-known church and carried herself as a well-confidenced single girl. We were brainstorming about what she could do this particular evening to practice “enjoying God’s presence,” and I nonchalantly suggested a walk on the beach.
“That’d be nice, but the thought of people seeing me out there is too much to bear.
“What do you mean? Cause you’d start skipping, or something…or singing Jesus Loves Me?”
“No,” she chuckled. Just being by myself. I’m not good at that, and especially not good at letting people see me like that.”
“What about a movie, and then by the time it’s done it’ll be dark outside?”
“Yeah, but same thing…what would I do if someone saw me at the movies…by myself!?”
“That’d be nice, but the thought of people seeing me out there is too much to bear.
“What do you mean? Cause you’d start skipping, or something…or singing Jesus Loves Me?”
“No,” she chuckled. Just being by myself. I’m not good at that, and especially not good at letting people see me like that.”
“What about a movie, and then by the time it’s done it’ll be dark outside?”
“Yeah, but same thing…what would I do if someone saw me at the movies…by myself!?”
Complete article
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Monday, August 9, 2010 at 11:05 am
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Friday, July 23, 2010 at 12:58 am
The Gift of Criticism
Posted by Jamin Goggin | Comments (0) |
This week I received some criticism. As a pastor I realize this is part of the gig. That being said, I discovered this week that my knowing criticism will come has not changed my fearful and defensive reactions to it. Of course, fundamental to my reaction to criticism is my need to please people and be liked. I know, I know, how shocking that a pastor might struggle with such things. Those of us in ministry seem to often be the types who feed off recognition and esteem of others. I may be off base here, but from what I have observed over the years I am not the only pastor that seeks to find his value and self worth in what congregants think of me-think of my preaching, think of my programming, etc.
So, when the criticism marched my way this week I discovered the familiar knee jerk responses I have seen in myself before. However, by God's grace this awareness soon led me to ask much deeper questions than, "how can I protect myself against this one?" The questions was, "what does God have for me in this?" I know somewhere along the road of being a spiritual director I have told a directee that criticism can actually be a gift. It hit me that perhaps the experience this week was just that. God not only opening me to the truth of myself in relationship with Him, but seeking to cultivate in me true humility. The Proverbs regularly talk about the divergent responses given by the wise man and the fool to criticism, rebuke, teaching and correction. What is fundamental to the one who is wise is an understanding that they truly are a creature, they truly are a sinner and they truly are desperately in need of God's grace.
Complete article
This week I received some criticism. As a pastor I realize this is part of the gig. That being said, I discovered this week that my knowing criticism will come has not changed my fearful and defensive reactions to it. Of course, fundamental to my reaction to criticism is my need to please people and be liked. I know, I know, how shocking that a pastor might struggle with such things. Those of us in ministry seem to often be the types who feed off recognition and esteem of others. I may be off base here, but from what I have observed over the years I am not the only pastor that seeks to find his value and self worth in what congregants think of me-think of my preaching, think of my programming, etc.
So, when the criticism marched my way this week I discovered the familiar knee jerk responses I have seen in myself before. However, by God's grace this awareness soon led me to ask much deeper questions than, "how can I protect myself against this one?" The questions was, "what does God have for me in this?" I know somewhere along the road of being a spiritual director I have told a directee that criticism can actually be a gift. It hit me that perhaps the experience this week was just that. God not only opening me to the truth of myself in relationship with Him, but seeking to cultivate in me true humility. The Proverbs regularly talk about the divergent responses given by the wise man and the fool to criticism, rebuke, teaching and correction. What is fundamental to the one who is wise is an understanding that they truly are a creature, they truly are a sinner and they truly are desperately in need of God's grace.
Complete article
Thursday, July 22, 2010 at 6:31 pm
Eugene Peterson on Sabbath
Posted by Kyle Strobel | Comments (2) |
I've been reading Eugene Peterson's book Working the Angles (which is a must read for anyone in ministry), and came across this passage on Sabbath. I wanted to quote it for a couple of reasons, not least of which because of the hilarious comment about Augustine and his mother:
We are, most of us, Augustinians in our pulpits. We preach the sovereignty of our Lord, the primacy of grace, the glory of God...But the minute we leave our pulpits we are Pelagians. In our committee meetings and our planning sessions, in our obsessive attempts to meet the expectations of people, in our anxiety to please, in our hurry to cover all the bases, we practice a theology that puts our good will at the foundation of life and urges moral effort as the primary element in pleasing God...Pelagius was an unlikely heretic; Augustine an unlikely saint. By all accounts Pelagius was urbane, courteous, convincing. Everyone seems to have liked him immensely. Augustine squandered away his youth in immorality, had some kind of Freudian thing with his mother [!], and made a lot of enemies. But all our theological and pastoral masters agree that Augustine started from God's grace and therefore had it right, and Pelagius started from human effort and therefore got it wrong. If we were as Augustinian out of the pulpit as we are in it, we would have no difficulty keeping sabbath. How did it happen that Pelagius became our master?"
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Friday, July 23, 2010 at 1:56 pm
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I've been reading Eugene Peterson's book Working the Angles (which is a must read for anyone in ministry), and came across this passage on Sabbath. I wanted to quote it for a couple of reasons, not least of which because of the hilarious comment about Augustine and his mother:
We are, most of us, Augustinians in our pulpits. We preach the sovereignty of our Lord, the primacy of grace, the glory of God...But the minute we leave our pulpits we are Pelagians. In our committee meetings and our planning sessions, in our obsessive attempts to meet the expectations of people, in our anxiety to please, in our hurry to cover all the bases, we practice a theology that puts our good will at the foundation of life and urges moral effort as the primary element in pleasing God...Pelagius was an unlikely heretic; Augustine an unlikely saint. By all accounts Pelagius was urbane, courteous, convincing. Everyone seems to have liked him immensely. Augustine squandered away his youth in immorality, had some kind of Freudian thing with his mother [!], and made a lot of enemies. But all our theological and pastoral masters agree that Augustine started from God's grace and therefore had it right, and Pelagius started from human effort and therefore got it wrong. If we were as Augustinian out of the pulpit as we are in it, we would have no difficulty keeping sabbath. How did it happen that Pelagius became our master?"
Complete article
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Friday, July 23, 2010 at 1:56 pm
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Tuesday, July 13, 2010 at 11:33 pm
Suffering with Christ
Posted by Jamin Goggin | Comments (1) |
This past week I have had incredible joint and muscle pain. The kind of pain that made it hard to stand up in the morning or pick up my son. At first I took my usual stance of "I am sure it's no big deal" which then turned in to a bit of denial as the pain persisted. After a couple of days I decided (really, my wife decided) I should go to the doctor. After a couple of visits and a couple rounds of blood work I have become concerned and even scared. There are a few items on the list of potential problems that are really scary. Mind you, it does look like I am more than likely dealing with something on the "not so concerning" side of the list, but nonetheless the potential is scary.
As we left one of the doctor's appointments I was simply sharing with God my physical pain and emotional weariness. I was also making myself available to what it is He might want to teach me through such an experience. I wanted to be present to him amidst the pain, confusion and worry. One of the first things that popped in my head was, "wow, it is amazing what Christ went through." I have not experienced a lot of physical pain or issues with my body thus far in my life, so I don't have much of a barometer for such things. I started to think about people I know who struggle with pain and constant ailments and how challenging and difficult that must be. I thought of a few who are believers and who truly seem to be open to God in the midst of their pain and willing to embrace whatever He has for them in this life.
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Friday, July 16, 2010 at 5:23 am
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This past week I have had incredible joint and muscle pain. The kind of pain that made it hard to stand up in the morning or pick up my son. At first I took my usual stance of "I am sure it's no big deal" which then turned in to a bit of denial as the pain persisted. After a couple of days I decided (really, my wife decided) I should go to the doctor. After a couple of visits and a couple rounds of blood work I have become concerned and even scared. There are a few items on the list of potential problems that are really scary. Mind you, it does look like I am more than likely dealing with something on the "not so concerning" side of the list, but nonetheless the potential is scary.
As we left one of the doctor's appointments I was simply sharing with God my physical pain and emotional weariness. I was also making myself available to what it is He might want to teach me through such an experience. I wanted to be present to him amidst the pain, confusion and worry. One of the first things that popped in my head was, "wow, it is amazing what Christ went through." I have not experienced a lot of physical pain or issues with my body thus far in my life, so I don't have much of a barometer for such things. I started to think about people I know who struggle with pain and constant ailments and how challenging and difficult that must be. I thought of a few who are believers and who truly seem to be open to God in the midst of their pain and willing to embrace whatever He has for them in this life.
Complete article
Last commented:
Friday, July 16, 2010 at 5:23 am
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Monday, July 12, 2010 at 4:22 am
Justification and the Christian Life
Posted by Kyle Strobel | Comments (0) |
As I am still reading some of Donald Bloesch's thoughts in his two volume (now published as one) Essentials of Evangelical Theology, I will provide a quote from him with some reflections. Bloesch states,
"Justification by faith is often considered the antithesis of salvation by works. Yet we should remember that according to the biblical witness faith does not exclude works but gives rise to works. Works of the law as well as of faith are excluded from justification, however, since the ground of our acceptance before God is not our works but Christ's atoning work on the cross. As Warfield puts it: 'Justification by faith does not mean... salvation by believing things instead of doing right. It means pleading the merits of Christ before the throne of grace instead of our own merits.'"
Justification by faith therefore, is far more than a statement we affirm, as if St. Peter is standing at the pearly gates with a scantron test ready to quiz us. Justification by faith entails a grasping of Christ by faith, and not an attempt to grasp salvation, redemption or forgiveness through our own merits. In Matthew 7 we are told of a man who stood before Jesus attempting to weild his spiritual gifts as merits - and Christ would have none of it. "I do not know you," was Christ's judgement upon him. In faith, we do not grasp justification, forgiveness or sanctification, but we grasp Christ, because in his faithfulness he has grasped us. Likewise, sanctification is the benefit of a life that grasps Christ by faith. It is, likewise, not of works, but of faith as well. But faith, through the grace of God, leads to the faithfulness of his people.
Complete article
As I am still reading some of Donald Bloesch's thoughts in his two volume (now published as one) Essentials of Evangelical Theology, I will provide a quote from him with some reflections. Bloesch states,
"Justification by faith is often considered the antithesis of salvation by works. Yet we should remember that according to the biblical witness faith does not exclude works but gives rise to works. Works of the law as well as of faith are excluded from justification, however, since the ground of our acceptance before God is not our works but Christ's atoning work on the cross. As Warfield puts it: 'Justification by faith does not mean... salvation by believing things instead of doing right. It means pleading the merits of Christ before the throne of grace instead of our own merits.'"
Justification by faith therefore, is far more than a statement we affirm, as if St. Peter is standing at the pearly gates with a scantron test ready to quiz us. Justification by faith entails a grasping of Christ by faith, and not an attempt to grasp salvation, redemption or forgiveness through our own merits. In Matthew 7 we are told of a man who stood before Jesus attempting to weild his spiritual gifts as merits - and Christ would have none of it. "I do not know you," was Christ's judgement upon him. In faith, we do not grasp justification, forgiveness or sanctification, but we grasp Christ, because in his faithfulness he has grasped us. Likewise, sanctification is the benefit of a life that grasps Christ by faith. It is, likewise, not of works, but of faith as well. But faith, through the grace of God, leads to the faithfulness of his people.
Complete article
Friday, July 9, 2010 at 4:22 am
The Idol of Self in the Era of Lebron
Posted by Kyle Strobel | Comments (0) |
I couldn't help but post something about the Lebron debacle. As a basketball fan I am offended at his narcissism and reality t.v.ish ploys, but more than anything else I am reminded about the American obsession with self-fulfillment. You see it in every interview when Lebron (or fill in the name of any sports star) makes what they think is the obvious ethical judgment: "I just have to do what is best for me." ESPN analyists nod in agreement at such stupidity, affirming the narcissism and even adding to it with their own sentiments - "He has to think about his family," or "It is, ultimately, a decision that has to be made by him and him alone." Now, in the long run, I don't care that Lebron left Cleveland (sorry Cleveland fans), but that this kind of self-obsession is taken for granted in our society today. To turn this a bit closer to home, I wonder how many of us have said similar things about church? "I just have to do what is best for me," therefore I am leaving and going elsewhere.
Complete article
I couldn't help but post something about the Lebron debacle. As a basketball fan I am offended at his narcissism and reality t.v.ish ploys, but more than anything else I am reminded about the American obsession with self-fulfillment. You see it in every interview when Lebron (or fill in the name of any sports star) makes what they think is the obvious ethical judgment: "I just have to do what is best for me." ESPN analyists nod in agreement at such stupidity, affirming the narcissism and even adding to it with their own sentiments - "He has to think about his family," or "It is, ultimately, a decision that has to be made by him and him alone." Now, in the long run, I don't care that Lebron left Cleveland (sorry Cleveland fans), but that this kind of self-obsession is taken for granted in our society today. To turn this a bit closer to home, I wonder how many of us have said similar things about church? "I just have to do what is best for me," therefore I am leaving and going elsewhere.