I am posting briefly to talk about J.P. Moreland's book, Kingdom Triangle.
A few months ago, I posted about how God unexpectedly provided a copy of this book for me out of the blue. After recently finishing Van Kampen's, The Rapture Question Answered, I moved on to reading Kingdom Triangle. I had heard good things and was very intrigued having read the introductory pages.
I have decided that this is a book every Christian should read. I am only in the first part of the book (the first part of the triangle), but every bit has been rich. Moreland has jammed these pages with vast amounts of wisdom and well-tested knowledge. He is writing about very important matters which every Christian needs to know, if the church is going to function at its best.
If you haven't bought the book, I suggest you do so now. Where to buy? Here are some options:
Bookstore Max
Tower.com
Overstock.com
Amazon.com
Some of the material has been deep and somewhat philosophical, but Moreland argues that these principles are necessary for Christians to understand if we are to face the "crisis" of our culture.
J.P. is one of the great Christian philosophers and thinkers of our time. I highly recommend this book, which Moreland claims is his most important work to date.
Saturday, December 29, 2007
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Death . . . then what?
DISCLAIMER: If you are very sensitive to the subject of death, or have recently suffered the loss of a loved one, I advise you to consider skipping this post. I will be discussing the subject of death from a seemingly neutral and "cold" perspective which may hit some people in a negative way.
I like to ponder the gray-ish areas of life and faith. I like to explore subjects that are often hard to think about because the scriptures we have in the Bible are not explicit or direct in their answers to our questions. One such area that has been floating around in my mind for a long time is death, and what happens between death and resurrection.
First, let me summarize what my understanding was for most of my life, hearing it through the Christians I was exposed to. It goes like this: when a Christian dies, they go to heaven instantly and spend forever with God in complete heavenly bliss.
In my adult years, the more time I had to spend thinking about these things, and through studying scripture increasingly, I began to ask many questions, as I am prone to do. Some of these include:
If you have insight into this subject, please post comments. Please avoid emotional responses based on personal experience. I am trying to stand back and look at this matter regardless of how I want things to be. I ask you to do the same.
I like to ponder the gray-ish areas of life and faith. I like to explore subjects that are often hard to think about because the scriptures we have in the Bible are not explicit or direct in their answers to our questions. One such area that has been floating around in my mind for a long time is death, and what happens between death and resurrection.
First, let me summarize what my understanding was for most of my life, hearing it through the Christians I was exposed to. It goes like this: when a Christian dies, they go to heaven instantly and spend forever with God in complete heavenly bliss.
In my adult years, the more time I had to spend thinking about these things, and through studying scripture increasingly, I began to ask many questions, as I am prone to do. Some of these include:
- If we go right to heaven when we die, in what form do we exist? Spirit-only?
- If we go right to heaven when we die, why are we then later raised from the grave (sheol) at the second coming of Christ when he takes his people home? Do we just leave heaven and rise from sheol to go back to heaven?
- Why does the topic of the new earth so rarely come up? Why do we always speak as if all eternity is spent in heaven? What about the new creation?
- When we say, "So-and-so has gone to be with the Lord", how do we know that? What is our evidence that Christians are immediately sent into heaven at death, in one form or another?
- Is there a difference between heaven and paradise? Is there a waiting place for dead Christians awaiting the final judgment? Are there various aspects or levels of heaven?
- If we enter into heaven at death, are we in the presence of the Father? Are we in the presence of Christ? Are we in the presence of both?
- If we enter into heaven at death, why do we then go through the final judgment when God divvies our rewards and punishments? If we were already accepted into eternal heavenly bliss in the presence of God, why then go through the final judgment?
- How do we make various scriptures work together to form a solid understanding of what happens between death and resurrection for the Christian?
- Since our bodies and spirits are meshed together to form a whole person, does the whole person go to heaven? Can our bodies and spirits really separate as has always been assumed by so many Christians?
- When the dead Christians rise from the grave to meet Christ in the sky at his second coming, does that literally mean all the dead rise from the actual ground? What about Christians who were cremated? Where do they rise from, if that's the case?
- What does sheol entail? What should our understanding of death and the grave be?
"Jesus answered him, 'I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.' " - Luke 23:43But this brief remark is somewhat vague, and in other end-times passages, we see Christians rising from the grave at the second coming of Christ. I have not put extensive time into studying every passage of scripture regarding this subject, but in the studying I have done, I am not confident yet to settle on any one view of this matter. How do we know that when we die, our entire being - body, spirit, mind, soul - are not simply dead ("asleep") until the second coming of Christ?
If you have insight into this subject, please post comments. Please avoid emotional responses based on personal experience. I am trying to stand back and look at this matter regardless of how I want things to be. I ask you to do the same.
Monday, November 26, 2007
The Rapture Question Answered: finally finished reading
This weekend, I finally got around to finishing Robert Van Kampen's The Rapture Question Answered, Plain and Simple.
As I've mentioned before, this book argues for a pre-wrath view of the timing of the rapture of the saints. Having finished the book, I can say that Van Kampen has made some very strong arguments for his position. Reading the book, I sometimes got the vibe that I was reading the writings of an amateur writer, but his biblical backing seemed sound, and he certainly seems to have done his research.
At the end of the book, he really makes the most important point, which I'll summarize for you: the reason that it is important to consider the timing of the rapture is that the saints need to be prepared , if indeed the pre-wrath view is correct. If pre-tribulationists are expecting Christ to return at any time, before the tribulation, they could end up sorely confused or unprepared when Antichrist begins his reign. Van Kampen sites various passages of scripture which refer to a reality of the end times: many "Christians" will fall away, abandoning their faith under the persecution of the Antichrist. He argues that it is important for the saints to be prepared for this time, so that when it comes, we will remain strong in our faith until the end, when Christ comes to save us before God's wrath comes upon the earth.
Even if you don't agree with the pre-wrath view, I think you ought to admit that Van Kampen has a good point. If Christians are going to suffer under the wrath of Satan (Antichrist), we must be prepared to persevere.
Van Kampen ties together passages from Matthew 24, Thessalonians, Revelation, and Daniel to show that all of them refer to the same end-times sequence of events. If you are interested in this topic, and would like to examine the pre-wrath view, this book seems to be a great place to start, as it deals with nothing more than the rapture and how it fits into the surrounding end-times events. Beyond this book, you could also take a look at Van Kampen's larger book, The Sign, which I own but have yet to read. There are also many other pre-wrath books out there.
I encourage you to do some research on this topic, as the pre-wrath view is a solid one, and it could affect the way you think and live. Even if you don't agree, at least you'll have decided why you don't agree.
As I've mentioned before, this book argues for a pre-wrath view of the timing of the rapture of the saints. Having finished the book, I can say that Van Kampen has made some very strong arguments for his position. Reading the book, I sometimes got the vibe that I was reading the writings of an amateur writer, but his biblical backing seemed sound, and he certainly seems to have done his research.
At the end of the book, he really makes the most important point, which I'll summarize for you: the reason that it is important to consider the timing of the rapture is that the saints need to be prepared , if indeed the pre-wrath view is correct. If pre-tribulationists are expecting Christ to return at any time, before the tribulation, they could end up sorely confused or unprepared when Antichrist begins his reign. Van Kampen sites various passages of scripture which refer to a reality of the end times: many "Christians" will fall away, abandoning their faith under the persecution of the Antichrist. He argues that it is important for the saints to be prepared for this time, so that when it comes, we will remain strong in our faith until the end, when Christ comes to save us before God's wrath comes upon the earth.
Even if you don't agree with the pre-wrath view, I think you ought to admit that Van Kampen has a good point. If Christians are going to suffer under the wrath of Satan (Antichrist), we must be prepared to persevere.
Van Kampen ties together passages from Matthew 24, Thessalonians, Revelation, and Daniel to show that all of them refer to the same end-times sequence of events. If you are interested in this topic, and would like to examine the pre-wrath view, this book seems to be a great place to start, as it deals with nothing more than the rapture and how it fits into the surrounding end-times events. Beyond this book, you could also take a look at Van Kampen's larger book, The Sign, which I own but have yet to read. There are also many other pre-wrath books out there.
I encourage you to do some research on this topic, as the pre-wrath view is a solid one, and it could affect the way you think and live. Even if you don't agree, at least you'll have decided why you don't agree.
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Hymn: Does Jesus Care?
In 1901, pastor Frank Graeff was inspired by one of my favorite verses from 1 Peter.
Too deeply for mirth or song,
As the burdens press, and the cares distress
And the way grows weary and long?
Chorus
Oh yes, He cares, I know He cares,
His heart is touched with my grief;
When the days are weary, the long nights dreary,
I know my Savior cares.
Does Jesus care when my way is dark
With a nameless dread and fear?
As the daylight fades into deep night shades,
Does He care enough to be near?
Does Jesus care when I’ve tried and failed
To resist some temptation strong;
When for my deep grief there is no relief,
Though my tears flow all the night long?
Does Jesus care when I’ve said “goodbye”
To the dearest on earth to me,
And my sad heart aches till it nearly breaks,
Is it aught to Him? Does He see? (Discovery Singers wording: "It is known to him? Does he see?")
I first heard this hymn on the Discovery Singers CD, Great Is Thy Faithfulness. They sing it very well, with a few slight changes in wording from the original text. I really like their layout of the song, too. They sing three verses, then finally end with the chorus. The build-up is great, then at last they arrive at the chorus, singing the hopeful conclusion: "Oh, yes! He cares! . . ."
I find it interesting that Graeff was so encouraged by this passage from Peter, and that he wrote the words as he did for this hymn. It is clear that the assurance of Jesus' concern alone was a sufficient comfort for Graeff during this period of tribulation in his life.
As I have thought about this hymn, I have wondered, "Despite the beauty of its truth, would I really be encouraged by its words in the middle of intense trial?"
I think my inclination would be to say, "If Jesus cares, why isn't he doing something about my trial?!!" I think as Christians, we often prefer action from God. Knowledge of his love can be difficult when we don't sense it. When the grit of life is so real and present, we can find it difficult to receive comfort from the words of scripture or hymns such as this.
So why take comfort from a hymn such as this? Why take peace from knowledge of God's care?
First of all, we must remember that God is sovereign. He has told us to take comfort from him, so we must. I think of Psalm 46:10:
Second, we know that God trains his people with trials, and he encourages us to learn perseverance. Consider the profound words of James:
Third, I quote the wonderful missionary, elder, and preacher, Don Allen. When speaking about the reality of God not answering earnest prayer as we had hoped:
"Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you." (1 Peter 5:7, NIV)What stood out to Graeff was the last bit - "He cares for you." Graeff had been going through a terrible time of trials and struggles. While meditating on the scriptures, the wonderful truth of this verse struck him. And so he penned this hymn. May it be an encouragement to us. You can hear the melody and read about this hymn on Cyberhymnal.
Does Jesus Care?
Does Jesus care when my heart is painedToo deeply for mirth or song,
As the burdens press, and the cares distress
And the way grows weary and long?
Chorus
Oh yes, He cares, I know He cares,
His heart is touched with my grief;
When the days are weary, the long nights dreary,
I know my Savior cares.
Does Jesus care when my way is dark
With a nameless dread and fear?
As the daylight fades into deep night shades,
Does He care enough to be near?
Does Jesus care when I’ve tried and failed
To resist some temptation strong;
When for my deep grief there is no relief,
Though my tears flow all the night long?
Does Jesus care when I’ve said “goodbye”
To the dearest on earth to me,
And my sad heart aches till it nearly breaks,
Is it aught to Him? Does He see? (Discovery Singers wording: "It is known to him? Does he see?")
I first heard this hymn on the Discovery Singers CD, Great Is Thy Faithfulness. They sing it very well, with a few slight changes in wording from the original text. I really like their layout of the song, too. They sing three verses, then finally end with the chorus. The build-up is great, then at last they arrive at the chorus, singing the hopeful conclusion: "Oh, yes! He cares! . . ."
I find it interesting that Graeff was so encouraged by this passage from Peter, and that he wrote the words as he did for this hymn. It is clear that the assurance of Jesus' concern alone was a sufficient comfort for Graeff during this period of tribulation in his life.
As I have thought about this hymn, I have wondered, "Despite the beauty of its truth, would I really be encouraged by its words in the middle of intense trial?"
I think my inclination would be to say, "If Jesus cares, why isn't he doing something about my trial?!!" I think as Christians, we often prefer action from God. Knowledge of his love can be difficult when we don't sense it. When the grit of life is so real and present, we can find it difficult to receive comfort from the words of scripture or hymns such as this.
So why take comfort from a hymn such as this? Why take peace from knowledge of God's care?
First of all, we must remember that God is sovereign. He has told us to take comfort from him, so we must. I think of Psalm 46:10:
"Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." (NIV)This verse brings us back to our senses. "I am God" is one of the most potent statements we can ever hear. All that exists is for the purpose of exalting God. And because he is God, we can be still. We can rest in the knowledge of his sovereignty. And we must.
Second, we know that God trains his people with trials, and he encourages us to learn perseverance. Consider the profound words of James:
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." - James 1:2-4Trials are for our own good. When we look at God's sovereignty during these times, and know that he cares, we can accept the peace he gives. We can remember God's words to Paul:
" 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' " - 2 Corintians 12:9That is why we can take comfort in him - because his grace is sufficient. When we are weak, there is God's power made known.
Third, I quote the wonderful missionary, elder, and preacher, Don Allen. When speaking about the reality of God not answering earnest prayer as we had hoped:
"When that happens, you yield. You yield."We must submit to God's majestic rule. As Peter says:
"Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time." - 1 Peter 5:6I think that is why the hymnist found peace in his despair. He knew that God's grace is sufficient. He learned the peace of yielding to God's mighty hand, of persevering by the grace of Jesus. When we know that Jesus cares, and believe it, we can take deep rest in him. We can be still in the knowledge of his very existence and majesty. Our trials are a chance for his strength to reign, and for us to be trained and sharpened in the process. It is never easy, for certain. And yet, we obey. He has told us to cast all our anxiety on him, and so we do. No one can carry our burdens or solve our tragedies except Christ alone. That is why it is good to know that Jesus cares.
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
So that you can pray
Today, I'll share with you a verse that has been a great challenge to me. Perhaps you will find a challenge in it as well.
1 Peter 4:7 -
I find that to achieve a clear mind, I have to focus on it. Typically, meditation works best for me. I use a technique I learned from my naturopathic doctor. She advised me to close my eyes, sit in a relaxed position, and to imagine all my thoughts floating by like boats on the water. Rather than letting any one thought grab a hold of my mind, I need to acknowledge each one and let it float by, in and out of my view. She also recommended taking one word or thought and focusing on that. So as I watch my thoughts float by, I imagine far out in the distance that I see the light of Jesus. I imagine that he is standing there in his radiance, noticing me and loving me. I will sometimes think or utter the word “Jesus” repeatedly to keep my focus.
Even 5 minutes of that kind of activity will calm the mind to some degree. The only problem is, I have a hard time getting into a place where I can focus like that. 5 minutes isn't very long, but sometimes there aren't 5 quiet minutes in my house to meditate, with small kids ever present. Many of you who are parents know what I mean.
One other trick I have employed is to align my focus from the get go each day. When I wake up, I try to make God my first thought. I try to send up prayers of worship, acknowledging his sovereignty. I think through verses like Lamentations 3:22-23:
How many times have we offered half-baked prayers because we lacked a clear mind and/or self-control? Thank God for his mercy.
But, this verse ought to remind us of the urgency with which we need to focus. Scot McKnight writes:
Peter knew how easy it was to have a mind full of distractions. He knew that the mind is easily filled with endless streams of running thoughts. He knew how difficult it is to focus, and how easy it is to approach the sacred practice of prayer with only half-hearted attentiveness. How would he react if he could see the world today? In this light, my own constant failure is quite stark before my eyes.
Let us continue disciplining ourselves in lives of clear mindedness and self-control, so that we can pray. Holy Spirit, help us.
1 Peter 4:7 -
“The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray.” (NIV)This exhortation is especially challenging to me because of the phrase “clear minded”. Do you ever find it difficult to be clear minded? Living in the culture we do, with myriad opportunities and distractions available to us, how is it even possible to be clear minded? This is a great struggle for me. I am someone who likes to dabble. A hobbyist in general; I like to try everything. There are so many wonderful things in creation to test out and to become mediocre at - which I do. I am also a person whose mind contains gears that are always running. I wake up in the morning and my brain is instantly whirring. So the idea of having a clear mind is a very inviting one, even if it sometimes feels out of reach.
“The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers.” (ESV)
I find that to achieve a clear mind, I have to focus on it. Typically, meditation works best for me. I use a technique I learned from my naturopathic doctor. She advised me to close my eyes, sit in a relaxed position, and to imagine all my thoughts floating by like boats on the water. Rather than letting any one thought grab a hold of my mind, I need to acknowledge each one and let it float by, in and out of my view. She also recommended taking one word or thought and focusing on that. So as I watch my thoughts float by, I imagine far out in the distance that I see the light of Jesus. I imagine that he is standing there in his radiance, noticing me and loving me. I will sometimes think or utter the word “Jesus” repeatedly to keep my focus.
Even 5 minutes of that kind of activity will calm the mind to some degree. The only problem is, I have a hard time getting into a place where I can focus like that. 5 minutes isn't very long, but sometimes there aren't 5 quiet minutes in my house to meditate, with small kids ever present. Many of you who are parents know what I mean.
One other trick I have employed is to align my focus from the get go each day. When I wake up, I try to make God my first thought. I try to send up prayers of worship, acknowledging his sovereignty. I think through verses like Lamentations 3:22-23:
“Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” (NIV)I think that self-control is a discipline that Peter knew to empower clear mindedness. The two go hand in hand to prepare an adequate mental state for prayer. We have all experienced at some point the loss of focus during prayer. Maybe we've even become drowsy or fallen completely asleep. Maybe our minds turn toward everyt other issue in our lives, taking our mind away from those moments with God. I don't think the self-control here needs to refer only to clearing our mind for prayer. Rather, I think it beckons us to a day-to-day lifestyle of self-control in all things, so that when we settle into a time of prayer, we are already well-practiced and acquainted with self-control.
How many times have we offered half-baked prayers because we lacked a clear mind and/or self-control? Thank God for his mercy.
But, this verse ought to remind us of the urgency with which we need to focus. Scot McKnight writes:
“Thinking that the end of history is at the door and the Judge is about to enter through it can energize one's prayers and lead to a specially effective focus in those prayers. “ (The NIV Application Commentary: 1 Peter. Zondervan, 1996.)Like Peter, we should remember that this life on earth, from a perspective of eternity, is coming quickly to a close. Every minute, we draw nearer to that time when we will stand before God in judgment. Oh, how wonderful to receive words of joy and glory from him at that time!
Peter knew how easy it was to have a mind full of distractions. He knew that the mind is easily filled with endless streams of running thoughts. He knew how difficult it is to focus, and how easy it is to approach the sacred practice of prayer with only half-hearted attentiveness. How would he react if he could see the world today? In this light, my own constant failure is quite stark before my eyes.
Let us continue disciplining ourselves in lives of clear mindedness and self-control, so that we can pray. Holy Spirit, help us.
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
...And be thankful
After going through a Biblical text many times (or any other text for that matter), you start to notice certain things you wouldn't have noticed before, as you may know from your own experience.
One such feature that stands out to me in Colossians is Paul's repeated emphasis on thankfulness to God.
Using the NIV, we see this emphasis 6 times:
1:10-12 - Paul prays that the Colossians may “live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.”
2:6-7 - “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.”
3:15 - “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.”
3:16 - “Let the words of Christ dwell in your richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom , and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.”
3:17 - “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the father through him.”
4:2 - “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.”
Clearly, thankfulness is of great importance to the apostle. Do we take enough time to thank God - to really devote time and energy to thanking him? Every minute we aren't suffering is another moment lived under his mercy. Our list of things to be thankful for is an endless one. Paul knew this. His letter to the Colossians is relatively short - only 4 chapters - but he is so aware of our need for gratitude that he mentions it 6 times, as if every interaction we have with God and others naturally includes thankful awareness.
Imagine how God must desire our thankfulness, not just in words, but with sincere hearts. He must delight greatly when one of his children looks up to him with a truly grateful heart, acknowledging his goodness and our need, his grace and our dependence, his power and our weakness. Too often, I think we assume, “He knows I'm thankful.” Let us not forget that our relationship with him is like relationships with the people in our everyday lives. Anyone appreciates being thanked for something they've done for someone else - even though it isn't required or expected. It simply let's them know you appreciated the blessing. Parents train their children from the beginning to say “thank you” for what they've received. Certainly we don't deserve all the countless blessings in our lives, so how can we not be thankful?
So here's a question we ought to ask ourselves: Why aren't we more thankful?
Do we find it difficult to be thankful?
Do we take God's grace for granted?
Is our prayer time only enough to allow other kinds of “more important” prayer?
Is it hard to think of what to be thankful for? Why?
One experiment I did a while back was to actually write a list of blessings I could be thankful for. I kept this list with me for a while, praying through some of them frequently.
Our thankfulness is a sign of our faith - our acknowledgment that we really believe God is the originator of every good thing (James 1:17). When we take time to remember what God has done for us in his mercy, he is glorified and we draw closer to him. Then, with his blessings before our eyes, there is no other natural response than to love him and praise him more - which is our primary calling as his children.
One such feature that stands out to me in Colossians is Paul's repeated emphasis on thankfulness to God.
Using the NIV, we see this emphasis 6 times:
1:10-12 - Paul prays that the Colossians may “live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.”
2:6-7 - “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.”
3:15 - “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.”
3:16 - “Let the words of Christ dwell in your richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom , and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.”
3:17 - “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the father through him.”
4:2 - “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.”
Clearly, thankfulness is of great importance to the apostle. Do we take enough time to thank God - to really devote time and energy to thanking him? Every minute we aren't suffering is another moment lived under his mercy. Our list of things to be thankful for is an endless one. Paul knew this. His letter to the Colossians is relatively short - only 4 chapters - but he is so aware of our need for gratitude that he mentions it 6 times, as if every interaction we have with God and others naturally includes thankful awareness.
Imagine how God must desire our thankfulness, not just in words, but with sincere hearts. He must delight greatly when one of his children looks up to him with a truly grateful heart, acknowledging his goodness and our need, his grace and our dependence, his power and our weakness. Too often, I think we assume, “He knows I'm thankful.” Let us not forget that our relationship with him is like relationships with the people in our everyday lives. Anyone appreciates being thanked for something they've done for someone else - even though it isn't required or expected. It simply let's them know you appreciated the blessing. Parents train their children from the beginning to say “thank you” for what they've received. Certainly we don't deserve all the countless blessings in our lives, so how can we not be thankful?
So here's a question we ought to ask ourselves: Why aren't we more thankful?
Do we find it difficult to be thankful?
Do we take God's grace for granted?
Is our prayer time only enough to allow other kinds of “more important” prayer?
Is it hard to think of what to be thankful for? Why?
One experiment I did a while back was to actually write a list of blessings I could be thankful for. I kept this list with me for a while, praying through some of them frequently.
Our thankfulness is a sign of our faith - our acknowledgment that we really believe God is the originator of every good thing (James 1:17). When we take time to remember what God has done for us in his mercy, he is glorified and we draw closer to him. Then, with his blessings before our eyes, there is no other natural response than to love him and praise him more - which is our primary calling as his children.
Thursday, September 27, 2007
It's always the little things
I recently heard Erik Thoennes - a great preacher, teacher, and theologian - mention something very appropriate in a sermon. He mentioned it in passing, really - the sermon was about something else. He reminded us of Paul's words from Philippians 2:14-16:
During his sermon, Thoennes stopped to talk about complaining, which is what inspired me to write about it - even now, weeks after hearing the sermon. It was such a good thought, that it has stayed in my mind until now.
Why do we complain so much?
What does complaining accomplish?
Isn't it easy to complain? Think about how ready we are to complain. It is one of the easiest ways we have to get out our frustration and dissatisfaction with life and its direct effect on us.
But Thoennes had a thoughtful statement. I don't remember the wording now, but the idea was: Imagine what life would be like if we never complained. Imagine what a huge step that would be in living a righteous life. Imagine how a person like this would stand out, amidst a culture of epidemic complaining.
He went on to say that small things like this are what glorify God - doing the little things well, being faithful with the little he's given us. Thoennes says:
There is a lot of truth there. Think about how many little things we gripe about. That's what I think of when I imagine complaining - griping. It isn't constructive or useful or beneficial for anyone. It's simply stating how dissatisfied we are with the realities of a fallen world.
What contradicts complaining? Isn't it contentedness? Do you find it difficult to be content? I know I do. Contentedness is a huge challenge in much of the world today, and strikingly so in American culture. If we allow ourselves to observe or listen to the many voices speaking to us (TV, music, movies, books) they will convince us that we are not content. We're somehow always being shorted, being stifled by “The Man”, missing out on something great.
Paul's words have been a great challenge to me:
For added encouragement, I'll give you a couple more bits of scripture:
A few examples that come to mind are the disciplines of fasting, secrecy, and silence.
In fasting, we confront our dependence on food, physical sustenance. Even beyond our body's needed nourishment, I think we also deal with the issue of comfort and security which we gain from food, emotionally and mentally. In fasting, we allow ourselves into this weakened condition so that we can draw life from the true source - God himself. The act of fasting itself does nothing. It is God who does the work through the practice of fasting.
In secrecy, we keep the good things we do out of the sight and knowledge of others, allowing God alone to acknowledge us. Rather than performing good works for others to see, we do them privately, secretly. Rather than reporting to others (no matter how subtly) the good we've done, we let God alone observe it. Rather than receiving our glory from man, we receive it from God. This helps us learn to give up our need for man's approval and praise.
In silence, we allow ourselves to escape the clatter and noise of the world. As much as we might claim to dislike the noise of the world - we might find that it is actually comforting. Noise allows our minds to stay comfortably distracted, ignoring the realities we don't want to face in ourselves. The inseparable sibling to silence is the discipline of solitude. When we are alone, in the quiet, with only God to see and hear us, we open ourselves to scrutiny and observation. Not only by God, but also by ourselves. We must now deal with the self, confronting the ugly “us” that we have been hiding behind the busy-ness of life. Here, we are spiritually naked before God, ready for him to show us what he will. No friends, family, or tools can help us here. We become aware of who we are. This experience can be, and should be, very humbling.
Gaining humility is only one benefit of these disciplines. All of them have ways of drawing us into Christlikeness and maturing us in the spiritual life.
Having thought about these things, our goal should now be to live consciously aware of the words we speak, and the heart with which we speak them. The heart is the issue. If we find ourselves complaining, we need to examine our hearts and wonder, “Where did that come from? Who am I, that I complain like this? What condition is my heart in?” If we can curb our complaining habits, I think we will start to see good kinds of fruit, and we will be a blessing and encouragement to those around us. I am far from mastering this. We must remember that it is the little things that will catch us off guard. We must be sensitive to the Holy Spirit in us, guiding and cautioning us. Let us work at it, always in the power of Christ alone.
NOTE: When I say "complain", I am talking about a type of communication that comes from a heart that is not rightly content and properly humble. This is different than sharing valid feelings. I never think we should hold back clear communication about facts and real life concerns. The difference between stating a genuine concern and complaining is really a matter of the motives and intentions of our hearts. And, I also encourage you to remember that it is often the difference between the little things and the bigger things that actually do need to be talked about. Body language and tone are also a clear indicator of our intentions. For instance, there is an obvious difference between, "I don't wanna do the dishes!!" and "I really wish this migraine would stop hurting..." Hopefully you see the difference, as it is an important one. Communication is of the utmost importance, so don't keep yourself from clearly expressing your feelings and discussing your thoughts.
“Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life - in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing.” (NIV)The real emphasis I want to highlight here is verse 14: “Do everything without complaining or arguing”. The ESV says “grumbling or questioning”, and the NASB says “grumbling or disputing”. No matter how it's worded, we get the point, don't we?
“Do all things without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.” (ESV)
During his sermon, Thoennes stopped to talk about complaining, which is what inspired me to write about it - even now, weeks after hearing the sermon. It was such a good thought, that it has stayed in my mind until now.
Why do we complain so much?
What does complaining accomplish?
Isn't it easy to complain? Think about how ready we are to complain. It is one of the easiest ways we have to get out our frustration and dissatisfaction with life and its direct effect on us.
But Thoennes had a thoughtful statement. I don't remember the wording now, but the idea was: Imagine what life would be like if we never complained. Imagine what a huge step that would be in living a righteous life. Imagine how a person like this would stand out, amidst a culture of epidemic complaining.
He went on to say that small things like this are what glorify God - doing the little things well, being faithful with the little he's given us. Thoennes says:
“Most of the time, glorifying God looks really normal. We glorify God when we refuse to gossip. We glorify God when we love our wife as Christ loves the church, even though she doesn't always make that easy. We glorify God by being men and women of integrity and doing what we say we will do. We glorify God by being patient with one another, bearing one another's burdens, and serving self-sacrificially when we want to be self-focused; by pursuing holy lives and dying to self and forsaking at times our image or our reputation; to suffer in light of the calling God has for us, with hope and with confidence in God. That's glorifying him - when you have gut-wrenching anguish in your life, and you refuse to curse God's name, refuse to just live in the disappointment, and you're willing to move beyond it and say, “I trust you, Lord, because you're good, and I know you're good, and I don't feel that right now, but I know it's true.”I remember reading in my textbook for Intro to Psychology in college something to the effect of: It isn't the really big problems in life that push us over the edge and stress us out the most - it's the little things, like the broken shoelace with no time left.
There is a lot of truth there. Think about how many little things we gripe about. That's what I think of when I imagine complaining - griping. It isn't constructive or useful or beneficial for anyone. It's simply stating how dissatisfied we are with the realities of a fallen world.
What contradicts complaining? Isn't it contentedness? Do you find it difficult to be content? I know I do. Contentedness is a huge challenge in much of the world today, and strikingly so in American culture. If we allow ourselves to observe or listen to the many voices speaking to us (TV, music, movies, books) they will convince us that we are not content. We're somehow always being shorted, being stifled by “The Man”, missing out on something great.
Paul's words have been a great challenge to me:
“I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” - Philippians 4:11-13 (NIV)This is a passage that I have memorized and meditated on over and over. You will notice that if you try speaking scripture out loud, you must decide how to place emphasis in the reading. On the concluding sentence in this little passage, I have come to place the emphasis on “him”, rather than “everything”, which I have heard a few times from other readers. I don't think Paul's goal is to emphasize how much he can do, but rather, who it is that enables him to do everything he does - Jesus. He is saying that Jesus provides the power for contentedness in every situation on life's spectrum.
For added encouragement, I'll give you a couple more bits of scripture:
“The fear of the Lord leads to life: Then one rests content, untouched by trouble.” - Proverbs 19:23What can we do to gain contentedness? Surely we desire this as followers of Christ. I think a good way to gain contentedness is by gaining humility. But how do we gain humility? That's a tricky question as well. I think one way that God has provided for us to gain humility which leads to contentedness is through several spiritual disciplines. Again, I must direct you to the writings of Dallas Willard, Richard Foster, and Klaus Issler who have discussed this topic thoroughly. I always recommend first reading Willard's Spirit of the Disciplines, as this book gives theory and history behind the practice of spiritual disciplines. From there, Foster and Issler provide more insights and practical applications.
“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, 'Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.' So we say with confidence, 'The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?' “ - Hebrews 13:5-6
A few examples that come to mind are the disciplines of fasting, secrecy, and silence.
In fasting, we confront our dependence on food, physical sustenance. Even beyond our body's needed nourishment, I think we also deal with the issue of comfort and security which we gain from food, emotionally and mentally. In fasting, we allow ourselves into this weakened condition so that we can draw life from the true source - God himself. The act of fasting itself does nothing. It is God who does the work through the practice of fasting.
In secrecy, we keep the good things we do out of the sight and knowledge of others, allowing God alone to acknowledge us. Rather than performing good works for others to see, we do them privately, secretly. Rather than reporting to others (no matter how subtly) the good we've done, we let God alone observe it. Rather than receiving our glory from man, we receive it from God. This helps us learn to give up our need for man's approval and praise.
In silence, we allow ourselves to escape the clatter and noise of the world. As much as we might claim to dislike the noise of the world - we might find that it is actually comforting. Noise allows our minds to stay comfortably distracted, ignoring the realities we don't want to face in ourselves. The inseparable sibling to silence is the discipline of solitude. When we are alone, in the quiet, with only God to see and hear us, we open ourselves to scrutiny and observation. Not only by God, but also by ourselves. We must now deal with the self, confronting the ugly “us” that we have been hiding behind the busy-ness of life. Here, we are spiritually naked before God, ready for him to show us what he will. No friends, family, or tools can help us here. We become aware of who we are. This experience can be, and should be, very humbling.
Gaining humility is only one benefit of these disciplines. All of them have ways of drawing us into Christlikeness and maturing us in the spiritual life.
Having thought about these things, our goal should now be to live consciously aware of the words we speak, and the heart with which we speak them. The heart is the issue. If we find ourselves complaining, we need to examine our hearts and wonder, “Where did that come from? Who am I, that I complain like this? What condition is my heart in?” If we can curb our complaining habits, I think we will start to see good kinds of fruit, and we will be a blessing and encouragement to those around us. I am far from mastering this. We must remember that it is the little things that will catch us off guard. We must be sensitive to the Holy Spirit in us, guiding and cautioning us. Let us work at it, always in the power of Christ alone.
NOTE: When I say "complain", I am talking about a type of communication that comes from a heart that is not rightly content and properly humble. This is different than sharing valid feelings. I never think we should hold back clear communication about facts and real life concerns. The difference between stating a genuine concern and complaining is really a matter of the motives and intentions of our hearts. And, I also encourage you to remember that it is often the difference between the little things and the bigger things that actually do need to be talked about. Body language and tone are also a clear indicator of our intentions. For instance, there is an obvious difference between, "I don't wanna do the dishes!!" and "I really wish this migraine would stop hurting..." Hopefully you see the difference, as it is an important one. Communication is of the utmost importance, so don't keep yourself from clearly expressing your feelings and discussing your thoughts.
Friday, September 21, 2007
Hymn: He Leadeth Me
Today, I encourage you to meditate on the only hymn ever written by a man named Joseph H. Gilmore. He penned the words in 1862. In 1864, William Bradbury put music to the words. Gilmore didn't realize music had been put to his hymn until 1865! Bradbury died 3 years later. To read up on the background of this hymn, look here.
You can also look here for images and hymn background.
He Leadeth Me
(Verses)
He leadeth me, O blessèd thought!
O words with heav’nly comfort fraught!
Whate’er I do, where’er I be
Still ’tis God’s hand that leadeth me.
Sometimes mid scenes of deepest gloom,
Sometimes where Eden’s bowers bloom, (bowers are pleasant, shady places in gardens or woods)
By waters still, over troubled sea,
Still ’tis His hand that leadeth me.
Lord, I would clasp thy hand in mine,
Nor ever murmur nor repine; (Discovery Singers say, “Nor ever doubt thy grace divine”)
Content, whatever lot I see,
Since ’tis my God that leadeth me.
And when my task on earth is done,
When by Thy grace the vict’ry’s won,
E’en death’s cold wave I will not flee,
Since God through Jordan leadeth me.
(Chorus)
He leadeth me, He leadeth me,
By His own hand He leadeth me;
His faithful follower I would be,
For by His hand He leadeth me.
It's especially interesting to meditate on God's leading in our time and culture. Many of us have been raised in a culture that teaches us to plan our own way. It can be a difficult task to learn how to follow God's lead. How do we become sensitive to his leading? On this matter, I highly recommend consulting Dallas Willard's book, Hearing God, and Klaus Issler's book, Wasting Time with God. These men have written many wise words on the subject.
I am inspired by the phrase, “Content whatever lot I see.” This sentence rings with Paul's words in Philippians 4:10-13. It is certainly a challenging call to devote ourselves to spiritual disciplines which will train us to be content whatever our circumstances. I think contentment is a huge problem in our culture. Lack of contentment leads to griping and complaining (a subject I will post about later). How content are we? On what do we base our contentment?
On an interesting side note, William Bradbury also wrote the music for Anna B. Warner's hymn, “Jesus Loves Me”. Warner wrote the first stanza - the one most Christians know - and 5 other stanzas were later added. Bradbury also wrote the music for “'Tis Midnight, and on Olive's Brow”, “The Solid Rock”, and “Sweet Hour of Prayer”, among several other hymns.
You can also look here for images and hymn background.
He Leadeth Me
(Verses)
He leadeth me, O blessèd thought!
O words with heav’nly comfort fraught!
Whate’er I do, where’er I be
Still ’tis God’s hand that leadeth me.
Sometimes mid scenes of deepest gloom,
Sometimes where Eden’s bowers bloom, (bowers are pleasant, shady places in gardens or woods)
By waters still, over troubled sea,
Still ’tis His hand that leadeth me.
Lord, I would clasp thy hand in mine,
Nor ever murmur nor repine; (Discovery Singers say, “Nor ever doubt thy grace divine”)
Content, whatever lot I see,
Since ’tis my God that leadeth me.
And when my task on earth is done,
When by Thy grace the vict’ry’s won,
E’en death’s cold wave I will not flee,
Since God through Jordan leadeth me.
(Chorus)
He leadeth me, He leadeth me,
By His own hand He leadeth me;
His faithful follower I would be,
For by His hand He leadeth me.
It's especially interesting to meditate on God's leading in our time and culture. Many of us have been raised in a culture that teaches us to plan our own way. It can be a difficult task to learn how to follow God's lead. How do we become sensitive to his leading? On this matter, I highly recommend consulting Dallas Willard's book, Hearing God, and Klaus Issler's book, Wasting Time with God. These men have written many wise words on the subject.
I am inspired by the phrase, “Content whatever lot I see.” This sentence rings with Paul's words in Philippians 4:10-13. It is certainly a challenging call to devote ourselves to spiritual disciplines which will train us to be content whatever our circumstances. I think contentment is a huge problem in our culture. Lack of contentment leads to griping and complaining (a subject I will post about later). How content are we? On what do we base our contentment?
On an interesting side note, William Bradbury also wrote the music for Anna B. Warner's hymn, “Jesus Loves Me”. Warner wrote the first stanza - the one most Christians know - and 5 other stanzas were later added. Bradbury also wrote the music for “'Tis Midnight, and on Olive's Brow”, “The Solid Rock”, and “Sweet Hour of Prayer”, among several other hymns.
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
The Pre-wrath view
A couple weeks ago, I posted about Robert Van Kampen's book, The Rapture Question Answered, Plain and Simple. You may be wondering what the pre-wrath view of the end times looks like. Here's a summary of how Van Kampen orders the events of the seven year tribulation period before the millennium.
The sequence of events listed above is all taken from the Olivet Discourse in Matthew 24. When considering this view, Van Kampen believes Jesus is addressing the church - all Christians. He says that advocates of the pre-tribulation view of the rapture believe that Jesus is here addressing Jews who become Christians during the tribulation.
What do you believe?
Is Jesus addressing Christians or Jews? That is perhaps the first thing we should address when considering this passage.
Do you agree with Van Kampen's assessment of this order of events?
I just recently finished reading Mike Wilkins' commentary on Matthew. I would like to go back and see on which points he parallels Van Kampen's interpretation.
If you'd like to do some research on the Internet:
- false Christs appear
- wars and rumors of wars
- famines and earthquakes (beginning of the birth pangs)
- Abomination of Desolation is seen standing in the holy place (Antichrist, according to Van Kampen)
- Christians are killed and hated by all nations on account of Christ's name (This is Satan's wrath. During this time many people fall away from their faith.)
- once the gospel has reached the whole world, Christ's sign appears, initiating the time of the end
- darkening of sun and moon, stars fall from the sky
- like lightning, the sign of the Son of Man flashes in the sky
- Son of Man comes on the clouds with power and great glory
- Christ's angels gather the elect
- Antichrist's persecution is ended
- God's wrath arrives - the end of the age
The sequence of events listed above is all taken from the Olivet Discourse in Matthew 24. When considering this view, Van Kampen believes Jesus is addressing the church - all Christians. He says that advocates of the pre-tribulation view of the rapture believe that Jesus is here addressing Jews who become Christians during the tribulation.
What do you believe?
Is Jesus addressing Christians or Jews? That is perhaps the first thing we should address when considering this passage.
Do you agree with Van Kampen's assessment of this order of events?
I just recently finished reading Mike Wilkins' commentary on Matthew. I would like to go back and see on which points he parallels Van Kampen's interpretation.
If you'd like to do some research on the Internet:
- Van Kampen's Pre-wrath site
- free online Revelation commentary by Van Kampen and others
- recommended rapture books from Strong Tower Publishing
- other pre-wrath resources
Friday, September 14, 2007
Psalm 145: Pure Praise
The other day, I had a short chunk of time to read some scripture. I decided to read a Psalm. The one I chose for no particular reason was Psalm 145. This turned out to be a blessing, as it was exactly the kind of Psalm I had hoped to find. I think the ESV chapter heading must have drawn me in: “Great is the LORD”. This was the kind of Psalm I had been hoping to find.
As God pulls me in, training me from day to day, I desire more and more to praise him, to meditate on his sovereignty, to delight in his existence, to acknowledge his majesty - to glorify him simply because he is God, before and above all things. This is the reason that Psalm 145 was so refreshing to read.
This Psalm begins with, “A Song of Praise. Of David.” This alone stirs my heart. A song of praise. The forethought makes me giddy inside, the idea of God being praised - is there anything more right? This title gets me eager to read the passionate David's words.
In verses 1, 2, 10, and 21, David uses the term “bless” as a form of praise for God and his name. Let me share with you a small excerpt from Richard Foster's book, Prayer.
Other forms of praise expressed in this Psalm include:
David concludes this Psalm of praise by saying:
As God pulls me in, training me from day to day, I desire more and more to praise him, to meditate on his sovereignty, to delight in his existence, to acknowledge his majesty - to glorify him simply because he is God, before and above all things. This is the reason that Psalm 145 was so refreshing to read.
This Psalm begins with, “A Song of Praise. Of David.” This alone stirs my heart. A song of praise. The forethought makes me giddy inside, the idea of God being praised - is there anything more right? This title gets me eager to read the passionate David's words.
In verses 1, 2, 10, and 21, David uses the term “bless” as a form of praise for God and his name. Let me share with you a small excerpt from Richard Foster's book, Prayer.
“Blessing is jubilant praise, praise raised to its highest point. 'Bless the Lord, O my soul,' enjoins the Psalmist, 'and all that is within me, bless his holy name' (Ps. 103:1). Luke closes his Gospel with the enthralling words of blessing 'and they were continually in the temple blessing God' (Luke 24:53). When we are brought into experiences of blessing God, the soul is enraptured in praise.” - Richard Foster, Prayer, pp.84-85I am thankful to Foster because I had never given thought to the meaning of this term “bless.” Do we, as a Church, bless God as we should?
Other forms of praise expressed in this Psalm include:
- declaring God's mighty acts, greatness, glorious kingdom, and power
- passing down recollections of God's works from generation to generation
- meditating on God's majesty and wondrous works
- singing of God's righteousness
- giving thanks to God
- proclaiming to God his own glory and goodness
David concludes this Psalm of praise by saying:
“My mouth will speak the praise of the Lord, and let all flesh bless his holy name forever and ever.”Oh, how we need to speak the Lord's praise, to remind one another of God's enduring mercy and dominion, not just today, but every day, never breaking the habit. We need to bless his holy name, and invite others to do the same. Let our meditation on Psalms of praise such as this add more praise to our hearts - always keeping God in his position of absolute majesty.
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Praying with Expectation, Part 2
When you pray for something, which model sounds more like you?
1. I doubt my prayer will be answered, but I hope it
will.
2. I expect my prayer will be answered, but if it isn't, I trust the sovereign God to bring about the perfect alternative.
The first option is really easier, isn't it? This approach to prayer is safer for us. What I mean is, we have a very powerful innate ability to defend ourselves in every aspect. When we pray, we are putting ourselves out there, becoming vulnerable before God. With emotional and mental vulnerability comes caution.
The difficulty with the second option is that we are forced to - either consciously or subconsciously - ask ourselves one or more of the following questions.
You may have prayed with expectation, devoting hours of energy to what you were certain God would answer. You could see it in your mind, waiting joyfully for God's glory to be known through the answered prayer. And yet, he didn't show up. You were left feeling cold, dry, weak, tired, and wondering.
So how do we deal with this?
First, let me quote Foster from his chapter on petitionary prayer.
Issler also deals with this very issue in the last chapter of Wasting Time With God. I will briefly share with you a useful table Issler devised regarding unanswered prayers of the saints. In this table he includes 4 types of “alternative affirmative answers” to prayer. In the table, he includes the manner of the answer (same as our asking, or different/better) and timing of the answer. Here is a simplified version of the table:
He also sites examples of each type, if you would like to investigate the book further. While I recommend reading the entire book, I encourage you to specifically take a look at the section of chapter 8 entitled “Wasting Time with God: Faith Stretching Prayer” in regard to this matter.
We have all experienced the emotional injury that results from being denied our expectations. Maybe a trusted friend promised something and didn't deliver. We are very cautious about “getting our hopes up” because we know that the let down is emotionally difficult. And so, we treat God as we would people. The difference is, humans are fickle, God is sovereign. If God doesn't answer us for any reason, either it's for the best good (Romans 8:28) or because he has an alternative that we haven't seen yet.
We also receive encouragement from Paul's words about Jesus in 2 Corinthians 1:20:
Let's continue in expectant prayer, always hopeful for what God will do by his future grace.
I will end with a few passages from scripture:
1. I doubt my prayer will be answered, but I hope it
will.
2. I expect my prayer will be answered, but if it isn't, I trust the sovereign God to bring about the perfect alternative.
The first option is really easier, isn't it? This approach to prayer is safer for us. What I mean is, we have a very powerful innate ability to defend ourselves in every aspect. When we pray, we are putting ourselves out there, becoming vulnerable before God. With emotional and mental vulnerability comes caution.
The difficulty with the second option is that we are forced to - either consciously or subconsciously - ask ourselves one or more of the following questions.
- What if God doesn't answer as I expect?
- What does an unanswered prayer say about me?
- What does it say about my faith?
- What does it say about my method of prayer?
- What does it say about God?
You may have prayed with expectation, devoting hours of energy to what you were certain God would answer. You could see it in your mind, waiting joyfully for God's glory to be known through the answered prayer. And yet, he didn't show up. You were left feeling cold, dry, weak, tired, and wondering.
So how do we deal with this?
First, let me quote Foster from his chapter on petitionary prayer.
“Another reality to keep in mind is the simple fact that many times our prayers are indeed answered, but we lack the eyes to see it. God understands the deeper intent of our prayers and so responds to this greater need, which, in its time and in its way, solves our specific prayer concern. We may ask for greater faith so that we can heal others, but God, who understands human need far better than we do, gives us greater compassion so that we can weep with others. A part of our petition must always be for an increasing discernment so that we can see things as God sees them.” - Richard Foster, Prayer, p.183Foster is right. God's wisdom and sovereignty are beyond our own. When we trust and live as if our prayer will be answered, it will be. But we don't always see the answer exactly as we had imagined it. We must keep confidence that if God answers in a way other than we had precisely asked, that it is probably a better answer.
Issler also deals with this very issue in the last chapter of Wasting Time With God. I will briefly share with you a useful table Issler devised regarding unanswered prayers of the saints. In this table he includes 4 types of “alternative affirmative answers” to prayer. In the table, he includes the manner of the answer (same as our asking, or different/better) and timing of the answer. Here is a simplified version of the table:
| Manner | Timing |
| same | now |
| same | later |
| different / better | now |
| different / better | later |
He also sites examples of each type, if you would like to investigate the book further. While I recommend reading the entire book, I encourage you to specifically take a look at the section of chapter 8 entitled “Wasting Time with God: Faith Stretching Prayer” in regard to this matter.
We have all experienced the emotional injury that results from being denied our expectations. Maybe a trusted friend promised something and didn't deliver. We are very cautious about “getting our hopes up” because we know that the let down is emotionally difficult. And so, we treat God as we would people. The difference is, humans are fickle, God is sovereign. If God doesn't answer us for any reason, either it's for the best good (Romans 8:28) or because he has an alternative that we haven't seen yet.
We also receive encouragement from Paul's words about Jesus in 2 Corinthians 1:20:
“For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory.” (ESV)Looking at this passage, Piper says:
"We see that prayer is a response to promises, that is, to the assurances of future grace. Prayer is drawing on the account where God has deposited all his promises of future grace. Prayer is not hoping in the dark that there might be a God of good intentions out there. Prayer goes to the bank every day and draws on promises for the future grace needed for that day. . . . Prayer is the confident plea for God to make good on his promises of future grace for Christ's sake.” - John Piper, Future Grace, p.107I have come to believe that God, in giving us the duty of prayer, has given us a responsibility to pray with expectation. Our role in prayer is not to doubt. Our role is not to second guess God. Our role is not to make empty wishes. Our role is not to protect our emotions. Rather, I think our role in prayer is to step out with true hope. We should believe that what we ask for will come about. We should look forward to God's gracious answer as if it is reality. The outcome of the prayer is irrelevant. God's Yes or No is irrelevant; he may decide as he will on the matter. Nothing changes our responsibility to trust with hope. God longs to give and to answer. Anyone who is a parent will certainly understand the desire to pour out your love on your children in various forms of blessing. Our Father is the same, I think. If he says no, it is because he has an even better way.
Let's continue in expectant prayer, always hopeful for what God will do by his future grace.
I will end with a few passages from scripture:
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” - Hebrews 11:1 (NIV)
“Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” - Hebrews 4:16
“And Jesus answered them, 'Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, “Be taken up and thrown into the sea,” it will happen. And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.' ” - Matthew 21:21-22 (ESV)
“In [Jesus] and through him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.” - Ephesians 3:12 (NIV)
“Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God and receive from him anything we ask, because we obey his commands and do what pleases him.” - 1 John 3:21
“This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us - whatever we ask - we know that we have what we asked of him.” - 1 John 5:14
“ 'I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard see, you can say to this mountain, “Move from here to there” and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.' “ - Matthew 17:20-21
Friday, September 7, 2007
QuickPost: Unexpected Provision
A book I've been really eager to get my hands on is J.P. Moreland's The Kingdom Triangle. I've heard him speak about it and have put the book on my "must acquire" list. But I had resolved myself to waiting around and hoping to receive it for Christmas or some such.
Today, through very odd and unlikely circumstances I saw a friend whom I haven't seen for several months. This friend works with J.P. I asked if he had read the book, which of course, he had. He didn't let me leave without giving me a copy of the book he happened to have on hand for giveaway. A fresh, unread copy of The Kingdom Triangle!
I can't let the opportunity pass by to share this experience. God provided. My chances of being there at that time, in that situation, was very unlikely. God is good, and today he provided me with spiritual food I could never have expected.
Today, through very odd and unlikely circumstances I saw a friend whom I haven't seen for several months. This friend works with J.P. I asked if he had read the book, which of course, he had. He didn't let me leave without giving me a copy of the book he happened to have on hand for giveaway. A fresh, unread copy of The Kingdom Triangle!
I can't let the opportunity pass by to share this experience. God provided. My chances of being there at that time, in that situation, was very unlikely. God is good, and today he provided me with spiritual food I could never have expected.
Praying with Expectation, Part 1
This is the first of a two-part series I am going to do. The topic deals with something that has been constantly on my heart and mind over the last few months.
I recently read Richard Foster's book Prayer. I have also been recently involved in situations that needed radical prayer. This all took place after a period where I felt like I needed to study and increase my understanding of prayer. I felt that I knew so little and that there must be more to prayer than I had learned or experienced.
During this time of learning, I have adopted principles I gained from reading Foster, as well as Klaus Issler's Wasting Time With God and John Piper's Future Grace. Specifically, I am referring to a principle I have come to call “praying with expectation.”
In Future Grace, Piper encourages the reader to see in scripture God's emphasis on forward-looking faith and hope. He explains that true hope is different from the kind of hope we typically think of. The way I see it, our hope tends to lean on the side of uncertainty and even doubt: “I hope this new job works out” or “I hope the mechanic can fix my car.” But, Piper argues that the kind of hope God calls us to is one like Abraham's. This type of hope is what Piper calls “faith in future grace.” One of the greatest examples in scripture is seen in Abraham. God says to him:
One of Piper's central verses in Future Grace is Romans 8:32: “He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?” God loves to answer prayer. He longs to see us trust with the hope of Abraham, the kind of faith that looks forward and prays with expectation, not doubting, but seeing, imagining the outcome in accordance with God's will.
We also see Jesus as an example of powerful prayer, which Foster calls “Authoritative Prayer.” Jesus commands spirits to leave and bodies to heal. This is a striking contrast to many prayers I've heard and prayed myself in today's church: “God, if it is your will, let so and so be healed” or “Lord, let this situation work out, if it is your will.” Then we somberly walk away, hoping God will hear and answer. But I don't think God ever trained us to pray with such a heart. That is why I am so thankful to Piper for teaching me about faith and grace, and to Foster and Issler for teaching me the many facets of and forms of prayer. I can't recommend their books enough.
Now, all of this sounds great in theory. Real life is an altogether different story, isn't it? Your experience may be that prayer seemingly never works out. Maybe you feel that God never answers your prayers, or that he is distant. You may imagine him ignoring you, or saying “no” to all of your heartfelt pleas. Dealing with this difficult and troubling reality will be the subject of my next post.
I recently read Richard Foster's book Prayer. I have also been recently involved in situations that needed radical prayer. This all took place after a period where I felt like I needed to study and increase my understanding of prayer. I felt that I knew so little and that there must be more to prayer than I had learned or experienced.
During this time of learning, I have adopted principles I gained from reading Foster, as well as Klaus Issler's Wasting Time With God and John Piper's Future Grace. Specifically, I am referring to a principle I have come to call “praying with expectation.”
In Future Grace, Piper encourages the reader to see in scripture God's emphasis on forward-looking faith and hope. He explains that true hope is different from the kind of hope we typically think of. The way I see it, our hope tends to lean on the side of uncertainty and even doubt: “I hope this new job works out” or “I hope the mechanic can fix my car.” But, Piper argues that the kind of hope God calls us to is one like Abraham's. This type of hope is what Piper calls “faith in future grace.” One of the greatest examples in scripture is seen in Abraham. God says to him:
“ 'Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.' ” - Genesis 22:2 (ESV)Abraham obeys, taking Isaac to the mountain. Isaac questions the situation, wondering what's going on, why they have brought no lamb for the sacrifice. Then we read this profound reply from Abraham:
“ 'God will provide for himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son.' “ - Genesis 22:8This is a wonderful example of true hope. Abraham believed in God's faithfulness to the point that he placed his hope in what would happen. He was looking forward with expectant faith. His hope wasn't the kind that wonders helplessly. He was sure of what would come. James looks back on this situation:
“You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. And the scripture was fulfilled that says, 'Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,' and he was called God's friend.” - James 2:22-23 (NIV)Abraham had the kind of hope that leads to action. His faith wasn't a simple desire. I ask you to apply your imagination as we continue, putting yourself in Abraham's position.
“When they came to the place of which God had told him, Abraham built the altar there and laid the wood in order and bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to slaughter his son.” - Genesis 22:9-10 (ESV)We recall Abraham's earlier statement to Isaac (Gen. 22:8). He knew God would provide a way out. How did he know? Scientifically, naturalistically, all the odds were against him. But Abraham's hope was in a faithful and sovereign God who is beyond the workings of nature and common human understanding. Abraham had learned to conquer the doubting faithlessness that plagues us today. Our attitude would probably be something like: “I know God can send an alternative if he wants to. All I can do is wait and see.” How contrary this is to Abraham's understanding of our Father! He didn't doubt, wallowing in self-pity. He took action, waiting expectantly for God's faithfulness. He had faith in future grace, to use Piper's wording. He was actually ready to go through with killing his own son because God had commanded him to. He still knew that God, by his sovereign choice, could take Abraham's only son away. He knew that God had power to demand his will. And yet he knew God would supply. This can seem quite paradoxical. But in my studies, I have come to find that many things are paradoxical with the almighty God. Abraham readily obeyed, and yet hoped expectantly that God would provide an alternative. Abraham's actions were, in a way, prayer.
“But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, 'Abraham, Abraham!' And he said, 'Here am I.' He said, 'Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.' And Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him was a ram, caught in a thicket by his horns. And Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son.” - Genesis 22:11-13God answered Abraham's faith and actions (his wordless prayers), and the situation turned out just as Abraham had expected. The same can be seen in the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and the fiery furnace (Daniel 3:8-30).
One of Piper's central verses in Future Grace is Romans 8:32: “He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?” God loves to answer prayer. He longs to see us trust with the hope of Abraham, the kind of faith that looks forward and prays with expectation, not doubting, but seeing, imagining the outcome in accordance with God's will.
We also see Jesus as an example of powerful prayer, which Foster calls “Authoritative Prayer.” Jesus commands spirits to leave and bodies to heal. This is a striking contrast to many prayers I've heard and prayed myself in today's church: “God, if it is your will, let so and so be healed” or “Lord, let this situation work out, if it is your will.” Then we somberly walk away, hoping God will hear and answer. But I don't think God ever trained us to pray with such a heart. That is why I am so thankful to Piper for teaching me about faith and grace, and to Foster and Issler for teaching me the many facets of and forms of prayer. I can't recommend their books enough.
Now, all of this sounds great in theory. Real life is an altogether different story, isn't it? Your experience may be that prayer seemingly never works out. Maybe you feel that God never answers your prayers, or that he is distant. You may imagine him ignoring you, or saying “no” to all of your heartfelt pleas. Dealing with this difficult and troubling reality will be the subject of my next post.
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
Outlining scripture
Several months ago, I was thinking about the book of Revelation. I had read the book so many times, and yet still didn't have a very good overview of the book. I could only remember a few specific parts of the book, but the whole of it still remained a blur. (My mind is detail-oriented. I am not very good with broad overviews.)
So I decided to make my own outline of the book. In the outline, I make each primary heading one of the bold headings from the Bible passage. Then, all the sub-points under each heading are general descriptions of the important events or features of that bit of text. For example:
X. The Throne in Heaven (Ch. 4) - primary heading
I have been working at completing this outline bit by bit. I am almost finished now, with one chapter to go. I see two benefits of this process, one which I've already mentioned, the other which I discovered only by doing the project:
So I decided to make my own outline of the book. In the outline, I make each primary heading one of the bold headings from the Bible passage. Then, all the sub-points under each heading are general descriptions of the important events or features of that bit of text. For example:
X. The Throne in Heaven (Ch. 4) - primary heading
- John sees an open door in heaven; a voice calls to him - sub-point
- John finds himself "in the Spirit"; sees someone on a throne in heaven - sub-point
- etc. - sub-point
I have been working at completing this outline bit by bit. I am almost finished now, with one chapter to go. I see two benefits of this process, one which I've already mentioned, the other which I discovered only by doing the project:
- I can now look back any time and be quickly reminded of the basic sections and features of the book.
- The process itself - going through the book in an orderly fashion with an eye out for distinct components - has given me a better overview, forcing me to think about what each section contains and what meaning it may have. These bits are often easy to miss when you are just reading, as opposed to analyzing or dissecting.
Friday, August 31, 2007
The Discovery Singers: a Great Discovery
I listen to a lot of music. Being a composer and musician, I can't get away from music. I have a job which allows me to listen at work, and even when I'm not listening, I have music going around in my head. These days, I find that the music I listen to most is a group called the Discovery Singers. Let me tell you the story of my discovery of the Discovery Singers.
I grew up as a typical suburban middle class American Christian. This kind of life is not inherently conducive to a recognition of one's unending need for the sovereign God. In my youth, I had very little respect for God's holiness and workings, despite being raised by loving parents who were Christians, and attending our baptist church weekly. I think this ugly reality is one of the side effects of growing up in the middle class American culture.
One example of this was my perception of hymns. Now, I have never been one to give much thought to words in music. My nature is to listen to the music itself - how all the aspects work together. That said, I had no care for the deep, meaningful words recorded by so many hymnists. Long ago, these dear people struggled and meditated and wrestled with realities of life and spirituality. They laid their hearts out on the page, passing on to future generations new, poetic ways to worship and proclaim truth through music.
Years later, little fools like me would know nothing of these people, disregarding their work as weird, boring music that you only heard in church services. In my youth, praise bands were emerging and taking over the music scene in Christian churches. No longer did churchgoers know or care how to read music in parts. The band now provided the music, while we sang the basic melodies.
Let me assure you - I have no problem with praise bands in church, and have played in them myself. As a matter of fact, I would probably prefer it to traditional a cappella hymn singing. My point relates to the lack of knowledge and respect for hymns themselves. With the loss of the reverence present in many hymns, I think we lost some of our reverence in worship. (Philosophy of worship is not the point of this post, so I will not continue with that discussion here.)
Looking ahead to my adult years, not much had changed. As the years passed God was doing challenging work in my heart and demanding that I grow - a grace I am very grateful for. During this time, I was searching around for some good internet radio. I don't remember specifically what I was after at the time, but I think I was trying to find good a cappella Christian music. My favorite internet radio site at the time was Live365.com. During my search, I stumbled upon a humble station called “Hidden Pearls Radio”. As I tested this station, I found that they played various forms of calm Christian music, typically (if not all) arrangements of hymns. As I listened I heard some great a cappella vocal arrangements from one choral group. Looking in the playlist, I found that this group was called the Discovery Singers. I kept wanting to hear more, until they were the only thing I wanted to hear. The reason for this attraction was that the arrangements and performance were so solid. This finding fell in line with my belief that arrangements can make or break pieces of music. As I listened to this worshipful music, I found that, because the arrangements were so pleasing, so well-crafted, they were doing justice to the words. The words to these great hymns in conjunction with quality arrangements and top-notch performance made this listening experience very welcome in my day. I found myself suddenly appreciating hymns, with a heart ready to contemplate the words being sung.
From there, this appreciation only grew. I found Discovery Singers CDs for a great price on Barnes and Noble's website and purchased four CDs from their “Hymns You Know and Love” collection. Eventually, I made the pleasant discovery that they also had a CD called “Great Is Thy Faithfulness”, which I picked up right away from an online seller.
Since then, they have become perhaps the largest percentage of music I listen to, in terms of time. I find that this style of thoughtful, worshipful music is more and more welcome to my ears from day to day as God continues to call me to transformation. It is a special grace to hear hymns performed in such a way that the music does the words justice.
My purpose in telling this story is threefold:
1. To encourage readers not to forget hymns, those who wrote them, and the deep truths these songs carry
2. To share how God worked in my heart through music
3. To lay some groundwork for any future posts in which I mention hymns or the Discovery Singers
I grew up as a typical suburban middle class American Christian. This kind of life is not inherently conducive to a recognition of one's unending need for the sovereign God. In my youth, I had very little respect for God's holiness and workings, despite being raised by loving parents who were Christians, and attending our baptist church weekly. I think this ugly reality is one of the side effects of growing up in the middle class American culture.
One example of this was my perception of hymns. Now, I have never been one to give much thought to words in music. My nature is to listen to the music itself - how all the aspects work together. That said, I had no care for the deep, meaningful words recorded by so many hymnists. Long ago, these dear people struggled and meditated and wrestled with realities of life and spirituality. They laid their hearts out on the page, passing on to future generations new, poetic ways to worship and proclaim truth through music.
Years later, little fools like me would know nothing of these people, disregarding their work as weird, boring music that you only heard in church services. In my youth, praise bands were emerging and taking over the music scene in Christian churches. No longer did churchgoers know or care how to read music in parts. The band now provided the music, while we sang the basic melodies.
Let me assure you - I have no problem with praise bands in church, and have played in them myself. As a matter of fact, I would probably prefer it to traditional a cappella hymn singing. My point relates to the lack of knowledge and respect for hymns themselves. With the loss of the reverence present in many hymns, I think we lost some of our reverence in worship. (Philosophy of worship is not the point of this post, so I will not continue with that discussion here.)
Looking ahead to my adult years, not much had changed. As the years passed God was doing challenging work in my heart and demanding that I grow - a grace I am very grateful for. During this time, I was searching around for some good internet radio. I don't remember specifically what I was after at the time, but I think I was trying to find good a cappella Christian music. My favorite internet radio site at the time was Live365.com. During my search, I stumbled upon a humble station called “Hidden Pearls Radio”. As I tested this station, I found that they played various forms of calm Christian music, typically (if not all) arrangements of hymns. As I listened I heard some great a cappella vocal arrangements from one choral group. Looking in the playlist, I found that this group was called the Discovery Singers. I kept wanting to hear more, until they were the only thing I wanted to hear. The reason for this attraction was that the arrangements and performance were so solid. This finding fell in line with my belief that arrangements can make or break pieces of music. As I listened to this worshipful music, I found that, because the arrangements were so pleasing, so well-crafted, they were doing justice to the words. The words to these great hymns in conjunction with quality arrangements and top-notch performance made this listening experience very welcome in my day. I found myself suddenly appreciating hymns, with a heart ready to contemplate the words being sung.
From there, this appreciation only grew. I found Discovery Singers CDs for a great price on Barnes and Noble's website and purchased four CDs from their “Hymns You Know and Love” collection. Eventually, I made the pleasant discovery that they also had a CD called “Great Is Thy Faithfulness”, which I picked up right away from an online seller.
Since then, they have become perhaps the largest percentage of music I listen to, in terms of time. I find that this style of thoughtful, worshipful music is more and more welcome to my ears from day to day as God continues to call me to transformation. It is a special grace to hear hymns performed in such a way that the music does the words justice.
My purpose in telling this story is threefold:
1. To encourage readers not to forget hymns, those who wrote them, and the deep truths these songs carry
2. To share how God worked in my heart through music
3. To lay some groundwork for any future posts in which I mention hymns or the Discovery Singers
Thursday, August 30, 2007
The Rapture Question
I am currently reading a book called The Rapture Question Answered, Plain and Simple by Robert Van Kampen. Van Kampen has controversial views on eschatology and is opposed by many evangelicals. Van Kampen is convinced that he has a sound "face-value" hermeneutic for Bible interpretation. And yet, many who oppose his views would also claim to have a face-value hermeneutic. How do we resolve issues like this?
This book was a gift to me from a friend (from here out I'll call him Ermu) who likes to wrestle with the tough issues of Christian faith. Ermu likes Van Kampen's view because it is similar to the eschatological perspective he came to in his own study of end times.
So today, I give you the same question Ermu and I are working through:
What do you believe about the end times, specifically regarding the timing of the rapture and second coming of Christ?
Why do you believe what you believe? Who taught you the view you hold?
Does it even matter? Why?
My purpose for now is not to explain Van Kampen's view. I'll discuss the details of that later.
This book was a gift to me from a friend (from here out I'll call him Ermu) who likes to wrestle with the tough issues of Christian faith. Ermu likes Van Kampen's view because it is similar to the eschatological perspective he came to in his own study of end times.
So today, I give you the same question Ermu and I are working through:
What do you believe about the end times, specifically regarding the timing of the rapture and second coming of Christ?
Why do you believe what you believe? Who taught you the view you hold?
Does it even matter? Why?
My purpose for now is not to explain Van Kampen's view. I'll discuss the details of that later.
About Reverentium
Reverentium is the word I've created for a place of reverent meditation before the true God.
I am a thinker. My goal is to use Reverentium as a place to meditate on truth under the guidance of God, and to encourage brothers and sisters in Christ to meditate as well.
The more we think, the more we learn how to accept God's transforming grace in our lives and hearts. But thinking requires time. As followers of Christ, we must learn to "waste time with God" (a term borrowed from Klaus Issler, author of Wasting Time With God). As with any other relationship, our relationship with God must be nurtured through quality time spent together. This could be spent in one of several ways. It doesn't matter so much what we're doing when we waste time with God. It only matters that we do.
I hope to encourage anyone who reads Reverentium to continue thinking, seeking, growing, transforming, as I do the same. I am flawed, weak, and always in need of God's grace. I admit it and therefore ask for the reader's mercy in analyzing my thoughts. I tend to ask questions of myself and others which require consideration of what we believe. This can be uncomfortable and even threatening, but I think it is necessary.
I will discuss theology, philosophy, and the spiritual life as I think about them from day to day. I have no particular association with any denomination of Christianity. I attend an Evangelical Free church, but I don't necessarily agree with everything in the EVFree church's belief statement. I seek the truth, which always soars above and beyond organizations and Christian groups.
To this end I write.
I am a thinker. My goal is to use Reverentium as a place to meditate on truth under the guidance of God, and to encourage brothers and sisters in Christ to meditate as well.
The more we think, the more we learn how to accept God's transforming grace in our lives and hearts. But thinking requires time. As followers of Christ, we must learn to "waste time with God" (a term borrowed from Klaus Issler, author of Wasting Time With God). As with any other relationship, our relationship with God must be nurtured through quality time spent together. This could be spent in one of several ways. It doesn't matter so much what we're doing when we waste time with God. It only matters that we do.
I hope to encourage anyone who reads Reverentium to continue thinking, seeking, growing, transforming, as I do the same. I am flawed, weak, and always in need of God's grace. I admit it and therefore ask for the reader's mercy in analyzing my thoughts. I tend to ask questions of myself and others which require consideration of what we believe. This can be uncomfortable and even threatening, but I think it is necessary.
I will discuss theology, philosophy, and the spiritual life as I think about them from day to day. I have no particular association with any denomination of Christianity. I attend an Evangelical Free church, but I don't necessarily agree with everything in the EVFree church's belief statement. I seek the truth, which always soars above and beyond organizations and Christian groups.
To this end I write.
"...You have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator."
- Paul's letter to the Colossians 3:9-10 (ESV)
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