New Blog Site!

Thanks to all of you who have checked in on this blog from time to time--especially given the time between posts! I'll now be blogging regularly at www.gospelsight.blogspot.com. Come over for a visit!

Reading in Exodus to my Daughter

I've been trying to read the "real" Bible to my daughter. We've enjoyed her children's Bibles but she seems old enough to "almost" make her way though the text itself. Thankfully, she is very patient with my inconsistency and somehow keeps in mind where we left off last.

Right now we are in Exodus--and the Israelites just crossed the Red Sea. The Gospel has been shining through this deliverance story as I've read to her about God's power of judgment being displayed in the Egyptians. What amazes me is that this same destructive power was displayed in my deliverance as well. Only, for me, the object was not a cruel human ruler or nation. Rather--the overwhelming power of judgment was poured out on God, in the person of His Son. The same "mighty hand" was shown in my salvation, but it was unleashed against Jesus Christ and I was brought through the waters of judgement on the dry ground of costly grace onto the shore of my salvation.

He was wounded for our transgressions. He was crushed for our iniquities. By His wounds we are healed.

Lord--show me the cost of my salvation.

"To See the Glory"

In 2 Corinthians 4 Paul speaks of a darkness that has passed over the minds of every created person in the world. The darkness is like a veil that keeps us from seeing true glory--the glory that is present in the person of Jesus Christ. When God sends his gospel into our hearts the darkness is pierced, the veil is torn, the scales of sin and unbelief falls from our eyes and we see Jesus Christ with eyes of faith. This sight is granted only by the mercy of a Sovereign Lord through the power of the Holy Spirit. It is this sight that takes place at regeneration---a sight we return to every time we open up our Bible and lift our voice in prayer for the Holy Spirit to illuminate the glory of our Savior. As Christians this seeing is a never ending quest. We have seen, we are longing to see, and we will see more and more of his glory for eternity. It is only the sight of Jesus Christ--Lord, Savior, Judge, Lion, and Lamb that rouses us from our deadly blindness and ushers us into the beauty of true eternal glory.
Lord--open my eyes that I may see your glory.

Interns

This year we have G2 interns. A group of young men and young women have dedicated their summer to reading, writing, and working here at the church. They have been assigned to read over 100 pages of theological study each week and summarize what they have learned each week in a personal paper. They have worked to serve the church in building clean-up, organization, G2 retreat preparation--they even did some yard work last week.

I wanted to take a blog post to say how grateful I am for their willingness to press into studying God's Word this summer. Its amazing that highschoolers, heading into another serious school year, would dedicate their summer to learning the way that these interns have.


Interns, congratulations, you have done an excellent job. I have greatly enjoyed getting to know each of you better.

Sunday Morning

It's Sunday morning. And in one hour we will be singing together with the entire church and then listening to God's Word. The Church gathering is one of those events we can grow quickly familiar with--even bored with--unless we believe what God has promised to do when his people gather together.
First, he has promised to be among us. Whenever we gather as a church, God himself, in the Holy Spirit, is present, receiving our songs, ministering to us through the spiritual gifts he has given to his people, and transforming us through his Word. Every Sunday is a gathering before the Holy and All Powerful God for his purposes for us to be realized.
Second, he has promised to give us the privilege of serving one another. All of us have many responsibilities with work and school and families. But on Sunday we have the responsibility of building each up in our faith, encouraging one another to follow after God with all of our hearts, and reminding each other of the glory of our Savior. If we show up on Sunday with only the hope that the songs will be familiar or the music will conform to our preferences or even that the sermon will be entertaining or funny, we'll miss the purpose God has for US in serving OTHERS as we gather together. God has someone for me to encourage in their faith today.

Lord, give me eyes to see what you are doing in my heart and what you are calling me to do for your people today. Build my faith and anticipation to encounter you. I present my life, in all of my dreams and desires, with full submission before your Word today. Speak to me from your Word and transform my life so that I will love you more fully and passionately. Use me for your glory as a result of this Sunday. Amen.

John 1

I was reading in the gospel of John this morning and was amazed by the glory of Jesus Christ. Creator. Fully God. The Word--the proclamation of God's truth and grace. The Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. The Eternal One made into flesh and dwelling among us.
Who is this King of Glory? The Lord strong and mighty. I pray with Moses that the Lord would show us his glory, glory that shines in the face of his Son.

Learning from a Legend

You may not know who J.C. Ryle is--but he's one of those men who can rightly be called a giant in the Christian faith. Here is a great quote from him that says again what Jason preached about so well at our last G2 meeting.

The Spirituality of Taste

J.C. Ryle:

The man whose soul is “growing” takes more interest in spiritual things every year. He does not neglect his duty in the world. He discharges faithfully, diligently, and conscientiously every relation of life, whether at home or abroad. But the things he loves best are spiritual things. The ways, and fashions, and amusements, and recreations of the world have a continually decreasing place in his heart. He does not condemn them as downright sinful, nor say that those who have anything to do with them are going to hell. He only feels that they have a constantly diminishing hold on his own affections, and gradually seem smaller and more trifling in his eyes. Spiritual companions, spiritual occupations, spiritual conversation, appear of ever-increasing value to him. Would any one know if he is growing in grace? Then let him look within for increasing spirituality of taste. (Holiness, 107)