Inspired by Augustine

Recently, I began reading Augustine of Hippo’s Confessions and have been moved by how moved he was by grace.  Inspired by his example, I want to contemplate the mystery of God and, as I have no other place to really do it, I am returning to this blog.  I want to unload my thoughts and worship Him through this blog, a tiny grain of sand on the beach of the Internet.

I’ll begin with a dream I had some nights ago.  For an extended period of time, I found myself walking through a cave with some friends.  I cannot recall what they were saying, if they said anything, but I remember admiring the beauty of the cave.  Some holes in the side illuminated what would be a dangerous place to tread.  I saw the crystals, the natural water run-offs, the limestones and I asked aloud, “Who are You?”  No matter how long you are a Christian or how well you know Him, this is the question you will always ask.

24: Resurrection

Last night, I watched the first new material from 24 in two years.  Jack Bauer sucked me in again and when season seven comes to the small screen in January, I will be glued to his every move.  Televisioin has the power to do that and in my case, it is specifically action-packed or sports-based shows that grab my attention.  Whatever media attracts you, don’t let it suck you in and destroy you like a pulsar.  Keep the main thing the main thing.

What helps me when Bauer is blowing up terrorists is to make light of his scripted pain. Though you do feel for the guy, how believable is it that one man could have his wife killed, daughter hate him, country abandon him, die twice, get thrown in jail, a situation where he kills those he loves and his best friend become a terrorist in a matter of seven days?  Dave Barry puts it better than I do in his 24 blog, which you can read right here: Dave Barry

Quiet Time

The Bible speaks about how at the end of time, there will no longer be sun or moon because the glory of the Lord will be the light for the new creation (Revelation 22:5, Isaiah 60:19).  Were it not that I would be spending eternity with this awesome God, I would most likely miss the night.  The day is filled with hustle and bustle, labor and toiling under the sun.  Though I know it to be contrary, it seems that the world goes to sleep when the moon rises in the night.

Since May, I have been addicted to the music of Texas band Explosions of the Sky.  Their song, “The Moon is Down” (also the name of a good John Steinbeck novel), reminds me of the peace at night.  I recommend listening to this the next time you have a quiet time.  May you know that though the peaceful night may depart from us, we shall always have rest in the Lord (Matthew 11:28-30).

Christ in the Old Testament

Last month, Atlanta Tony pastor preached a wonderful sermon on 1 Corinthians 15:3, which says:

“For I passed on to you as most important what I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures…”

Carter, in explaining the third verse of this chapter, charged the congregation to read about Christ in the Old Testament.  Many people’s tendencies, he said, are to go to the New Testament when they want to read about the Risen Lord.  Furthermore, Carter explains:

“The gospel is not accidental or incidental information.  (The Old Testament) reminds us that Paul didn’t come up with this one night through praying and fasting, to preach a message that Christ died for the remission of sin.”

Scare Tactics

What do you think of videos and scare tactics to evangelize like it?

Yes We Should

Last night, the nation watched as the 44th president of the United States took the stage in Chicago’s Grant Park to accept his election. Barack Obama–charismatic, young and inspirational–proclaimed that “change has come to America.” Indeed, Obama’s election reflects a major shift in the way we shall be viewed around the world and in the course of American politics.

I, like many, cast my ballot yesterday for the junior senator from Illinois. My reasons were simple: he is presidential, he chose a good vice president, he can unite people and John McCain’s policies could not make up for his lack of discernment in choosing Sarah Palin as his running mate.

The Day After/So I voted…

In his book on Humility titled “Humility,” C.J. Mahaney says that pride is the root of all sin. Pride manifests itself in the breaking of God’s law because of how pride opposes Him. Trying to struggle with my own pride, I had a pretty strange day considering all that is going on in my life.

First off, today was the day after Phillip Fulmer’s resignation, an event both long-expected and unexpected, much like J.R.R. Tolkien’s parties. I could not go to media day because I lost my wallet while voting, but I still listened as UT coaches focused more on Fulmer leaving than the likely blowout of Wyoming this weekend. It was somewhat amusing to see how both reporters and coaches handled it.

Hallelujah?

I have only been on the University of Tennessee campus for two years.  In those two, I have seen my school’s team both rise to the occasion and fall out of the spotlight.  Today at five o’clock, UT came back into the spotlight once more for an event long coming: Phillip Fulmer is out as the Volunteers’ head coach.

Opinions for or against the choice are flying.  Perusing my Facebook pages, I have seen so many people say, “Ben is Hallelujah!  Fulmer is out!.”  In the Neyland Stadium media room, the faces long.  There was both hatred and lament in the coach’s eyes.  The players talked about how Fulmer’s firing like someone had passed away.

“He’s more than just a coach,” strong safety Eric Berry said. “He’s more like a mentor or a family member. I feel like just lost one of my ribs or my kidney or something. I feel like I lose a family member. Nobody has died, but that’s how it feels right now.”

The Power of the Word

At VFC’s mission team meeting last night, I read along with our pastor through a booklet on evangelism called “Proclaim.” As I listened to people talk to me about ways to break through and bring the gospel to light in everyday situations, my heart became arrogant. “We need a book for this?” I asked myself. “I’ve already done all this!” I talked to a good friend when I felt convicted and repented. But God did not merely use this moment to convict me of pride.

I have been reading Isaiah and Revelation lately having wonderful meditation in both books. Aside from teaching me about the history of God’s people, God’s Word has revealed to me the eternality and the supremacy of Christ. The Word is filled with wonders of God, no matter where you read. Seeing the scripture from which Chapter four of “Proclaim” talked (John 4:7-15), I realized the the only reason why I have been able to evangelize without the booklet is God’s Word. It teaches, it interprets, it corrects and it calls us to come and “behold the wondrous cross” This is from a song called “The Glories of Calvary” off the album “Songs for the Cross-centered Life”.

If “Proclaim” and I are in agreement, it’s not because I’m smart. It’s because we both have the same Teacher: the Word of God, Jesus Christ.

The Power of Music–A Brief Thought

Recently, I have been looking into the antiquity of church history to get an eternal perspective of Jesus.  In my search, I have found wonderful music too often forgotten in our Rock ‘N Roll culture.  I am more than sure no one listens to Gregorian chants or to hymns and carols in other languages, but the supremacy of Christ permeates through the musical traditions of past a present.  Who could deny the simple peace of the traditional “Venti, Venti, Emmanuel”?  Isn’t there a serenity in Sovereign Grace Ministries’ “Oh the deep, deep love”?  How many Charles Wesley hymns have we sung in traditional worship?  

All these and the many songs proclaiming the wonders of the Lord are beautiful not because of the hands who crafted the songs, but because of the One whom they sing about and sing for.  Though the styles and perspectives may be different, the good news is the same.  Christ crucified.

Here’s an idea of what I’m talking about: