Day sixty, eight remaining. We saw our sons James and Philip tonight - probably the last time I will see them before I return from Russia - maybe the last time before November 17. I have never gone that length of time before without seeing any of our children. What a blessing to be a father!
In eight days I will leave Greenville to fly over a 28-hour period to minister to someone else's sons and daughters. God give us grace to deal with them with integrity and love as we would our own. This morning in our men's ministry we read the "commission" passages in Matthew 28, Mark 16, and Luke 24. May Pastor Graham and I be true to our call to encourage faithfulness in these young servants of Christ to obey our Lord's call to "make disciples of all nations" (Matthew 28:19).
Tomorrow I begin the last week of preparation, pondering and praying for wisdom for just the right use of time. Cheryl will purchase a history of Russia (per Steve's suggestion) so I can be reading more in the next ten days before our arrival around 8:30 AM on Monday, October 8 in Vlad.
Prayer: O Lord who has redeemed men from every tribe, and language and people and tongue - give me love and boldness to speak your words in Vlad. Open doors we never thought possible to accomplish your purposes in the lives of those whom you intend to use for your glory. Guide the paths of our feet, bless the work of our hands, help us open our mouths for the Gospel's sake with wisdom and boldness for your name's renown. In your Son's name. Amen.
Friday, September 28, 2012
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
September 26, 2012
Day sixty, ten remaining. I was blessed today by a number of people asking about my visa. Cheryl and I now wait, as we expect my travel agent to bring news in the next two days that she has received it from the Russian embassy. I have no worries about it, not because I thing it is 100% guaranteed I will receive it, but because I believe God's purposes are 100% guaranteed. If our God wants me in Vlad He will open every door, finalize every detail. I sleep with no anxiety regarding the travel logistics. Nonetheless, I think we'll receive it Monday or Tuesday in Greenville.
As far as travel goes, I want to travel as light as possible. In New York and in Moscow I hope to not be burdened by too much luggage. Honestly, I would like to bring goods to leave with our hosts and new friends, bringing much less back than I bring to Vlad.
In church tonight I thought of others who are praying for me, wishing me well on the trip, and who probably gave for the designated offering for the trip. I thought of how many of them would like to take a trip like mine in the future. I pray the door would be open to many others. Prayer: "O God who seeks the lost in every nation on earth, please open doors for more of your people to go in the name of Christ and share your Gospel with Paul-like boldness to every creature on earth. Give your Church the passion, the initiative, the desire to either send or be sent. In the name of King Jesus and for the expansion of His Reign, Amen."
As far as travel goes, I want to travel as light as possible. In New York and in Moscow I hope to not be burdened by too much luggage. Honestly, I would like to bring goods to leave with our hosts and new friends, bringing much less back than I bring to Vlad.
In church tonight I thought of others who are praying for me, wishing me well on the trip, and who probably gave for the designated offering for the trip. I thought of how many of them would like to take a trip like mine in the future. I pray the door would be open to many others. Prayer: "O God who seeks the lost in every nation on earth, please open doors for more of your people to go in the name of Christ and share your Gospel with Paul-like boldness to every creature on earth. Give your Church the passion, the initiative, the desire to either send or be sent. In the name of King Jesus and for the expansion of His Reign, Amen."
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
September 25, 2012
Day fifty-nine, eleven remaining. Had dinner tonight with my wife Cheryl, brother-in-law Victor (Happy 52nd!), sister Ellen, nephew Avery, Scott and Marsha Van Steenburgh, and Pastor Bob Selph. A very special time downtown for all at a restaurant we just completed. This creates a segway for the question: "What can one person do?" What possible impact can I have in a small Bible school in Vladivostok, Russia from October 6th until November 3rd? I think it is a fair question,but is it the right question? I admit I am susceptible to a Western pragmatism - asking if we have a good cost-benefit ratio, what is the payback period - all legitimate questions that we ask in a variety of contexts. But the experience of my brother-in-law helps me think more clearly about the "What can one person do?" question. The answer - a lot...
The quiet example of faithful, purposeful living of a Christian man over some thirty years as he has worked, loved, served, given, laughed, and cried in the sea of family, marriage, work, community, and the people of God preaches a powerful ongoing message of the power of one. One person can make a difference. And God gives him the grace to do it. Sometimes that one is the kindness of a stranger demonstrated only in a moment, or in a longer minute, or greater yet in the lifetime of a faithful brother-in-law. Jesus said, "The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many" (Matt. 20:28). And yet He only had a three year public ministry. What did the one Man do? Here's the call: Go to Russia for 28 days and by God's grace and the power of His Spirit - teach, defend the faith, preach the Gospel, and encourage the saints like it will be the last chance I will ever have to do it! I am one man, but I will let Solomon whisper in my ear: "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for there is no activity or wisdom in Sheol where you are going (Ecclesiastes 9:10)." Going as one person may not make much difference, but not going certainly won't...
Prayer: Father, as I go to a distant land, help me always be conscious that I go as your representative. Help me listen, help me serve, help me speak trusting you with the results as the One great missionary God who is ever seeking the lost. Help me believe that you will build your Church through the foolishness of the preaching of the Gospel. Please prepare the hearts of your people to receive the ministry of the Word that we will bring in the next few weeks. Do it for your name's renown. Because of your Son, Amen.
The quiet example of faithful, purposeful living of a Christian man over some thirty years as he has worked, loved, served, given, laughed, and cried in the sea of family, marriage, work, community, and the people of God preaches a powerful ongoing message of the power of one. One person can make a difference. And God gives him the grace to do it. Sometimes that one is the kindness of a stranger demonstrated only in a moment, or in a longer minute, or greater yet in the lifetime of a faithful brother-in-law. Jesus said, "The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many" (Matt. 20:28). And yet He only had a three year public ministry. What did the one Man do? Here's the call: Go to Russia for 28 days and by God's grace and the power of His Spirit - teach, defend the faith, preach the Gospel, and encourage the saints like it will be the last chance I will ever have to do it! I am one man, but I will let Solomon whisper in my ear: "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for there is no activity or wisdom in Sheol where you are going (Ecclesiastes 9:10)." Going as one person may not make much difference, but not going certainly won't...
Prayer: Father, as I go to a distant land, help me always be conscious that I go as your representative. Help me listen, help me serve, help me speak trusting you with the results as the One great missionary God who is ever seeking the lost. Help me believe that you will build your Church through the foolishness of the preaching of the Gospel. Please prepare the hearts of your people to receive the ministry of the Word that we will bring in the next few weeks. Do it for your name's renown. Because of your Son, Amen.
Monday, September 24, 2012
September 24, 2012
Day fifty-eight, twelve remaining. Can't believe it is only a dozen days till I leave. That's the number of eggs in a carton, or the standard for doughnuts. Less than a fortnight. Have you ever had that moment where an event or trip or meeting is suddenly upon you and the truth of the saying, "I will be here before you know it" is driven home? That is how I feel today. What had seemed so far away is now upon me. Prayer: "God help me trust you when time and preparation seem in such limited supply. Help me be as prepared to minister in Christ's name as I can be while leaving my wife, children, business, church, affairs, and yard in as good a shape as I can. You, Lord, know my secret anxieties as I prepare to leave."
Alicia and Philip were home for the weekend from college. I wondered, "What if I never see them again? What if something happens to me on the trip and I never return?" You can bet I will call all my family next Thursday and Friday and express this: I love you, but our Heavenly Father loves you more than I ever could. My parents will get that same message in person, but I'm not sure our mom has any appreciation for the trip I am taking. Alzheimer's has a way...
My good friend Jamie Howell sent me an email today with an article from JETS (Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society) by Stanley J. Grenz entitled, "Jesus as the Imago Dei: Image of God Christology and the Non-Linear Linearity of Theology." Talk about thought-provoking for the Christology course! Let me give you most of Dr. Grenz' conclusion: "At the heart of the Christian belief-mosaic is, of course, Christology. Central to a truly biblically informed Christocentric theology is the affirmation that Jesus is the one who came to be the imago Dei and to establish the new humanity of those who are confirmed to that image, in completion of what God intended as the human vocation from the beginning."
Tomorrow: What can one person do?
Alicia and Philip were home for the weekend from college. I wondered, "What if I never see them again? What if something happens to me on the trip and I never return?" You can bet I will call all my family next Thursday and Friday and express this: I love you, but our Heavenly Father loves you more than I ever could. My parents will get that same message in person, but I'm not sure our mom has any appreciation for the trip I am taking. Alzheimer's has a way...
My good friend Jamie Howell sent me an email today with an article from JETS (Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society) by Stanley J. Grenz entitled, "Jesus as the Imago Dei: Image of God Christology and the Non-Linear Linearity of Theology." Talk about thought-provoking for the Christology course! Let me give you most of Dr. Grenz' conclusion: "At the heart of the Christian belief-mosaic is, of course, Christology. Central to a truly biblically informed Christocentric theology is the affirmation that Jesus is the one who came to be the imago Dei and to establish the new humanity of those who are confirmed to that image, in completion of what God intended as the human vocation from the beginning."
Tomorrow: What can one person do?
Saturday, September 22, 2012
September 22, 2012
Day fifty-six, fourteen remaining. One of the significant notes about my upcoming trip is that I will miss a whole month of the American college football season. But not tonight - Clemson travels to Tallahassee, Florida to face FSU. We'll be watching. A daunting task, but one of two final Clemson games I get to watch prior to flying to New York on October 6 to begin our Russia trip. Some of you may have asked me how I will do missing an important month of the season. At this point I am entirely satisfied with this prospect. If you know me, you know how much I enjoy football. But the opportunity to preach and teach the Gospel of Christ and minister in His name is so, so much better. Remember how Jesus told the parables in Matthew 13 where he gave metaphors for the "kingdom of heaven"? The point is that everything pales in comparison to possessing "the kingdom of heaven." Everything is worth giving up to possess Jesus Christ...even football. :)
Yesterday I alluded to learning from a veteran. By veteran I mean Pastor Steve Graham, who I am joining by his invitation for the trip to Vlad. We talked the other night; I was amazed by his simple wisdom and counsel for the trip. His words remind me of Dr. Garry Parrett of Gordon-Conwell Seminary's Christian Education Department - I paraphrase - "When we go to another culture to minister we always go first as a guest, next as a learner, and finally as a servant." In effect, we bring the courtesy of a guest, the curiosity of a learner, and the humility of a servant. This was the essence of Steve's perspectives. We don't need to stand out or "wow" those to whom we minister. If anything we should desire them to be "wowed" with Christ in the spirit of John 3:30, "He must increase and I must decrease." In no particular order he advised: "Have an open mind, be prepared to eat anything, don't feel like you need to shave, take your shoes off as soon as you enter a house, rejoice with your new friends when they show you their possessions, be sensitive about cultural practices which vary from our own, and avoid illustrations in teaching/preaching that are peculiar to American culture." Isn't it great to have your own personal guide? :)
More on learning from a veteran tomorrow - Part II.
Yesterday I alluded to learning from a veteran. By veteran I mean Pastor Steve Graham, who I am joining by his invitation for the trip to Vlad. We talked the other night; I was amazed by his simple wisdom and counsel for the trip. His words remind me of Dr. Garry Parrett of Gordon-Conwell Seminary's Christian Education Department - I paraphrase - "When we go to another culture to minister we always go first as a guest, next as a learner, and finally as a servant." In effect, we bring the courtesy of a guest, the curiosity of a learner, and the humility of a servant. This was the essence of Steve's perspectives. We don't need to stand out or "wow" those to whom we minister. If anything we should desire them to be "wowed" with Christ in the spirit of John 3:30, "He must increase and I must decrease." In no particular order he advised: "Have an open mind, be prepared to eat anything, don't feel like you need to shave, take your shoes off as soon as you enter a house, rejoice with your new friends when they show you their possessions, be sensitive about cultural practices which vary from our own, and avoid illustrations in teaching/preaching that are peculiar to American culture." Isn't it great to have your own personal guide? :)
More on learning from a veteran tomorrow - Part II.
Friday, September 21, 2012
September 21, 2012
Day fifty-five, fifteen remaining. Wednesday I was intent on blogging every day until and through our trip to Vlad. But as the best laid plans of mice and men often go awry, we lost our internet yesterday. However, this morning it was restored - so here I am again.
We received the good news today from my travel agent in New York that she is confident of having my visa in her hands "by the end of the month." :) I am thankful for how our God works out even the smallest details of our lives. I hope I remember this reality three or four weeks from now when I am struggling with some detail or irritation many miles away from my home country in a land with a people whose language I cannot understand well. Prayer: "Lord, give me the grace to accept that my times are in your hands, and that you design every trial for my sanctification to find ultimate satisfaction only in you." May I remember this during the month of October.
More on teaching Christology or the doctrine Christ: John mentions near the end of his Gospel (John 20:30; 21:25) that Jesus "did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book" and ""Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written." John grasped the enormity of his subject. Jesus Christ would not be exhaustively displayed in a 21 chapter Gospel effort. I am convinced that we must not lose the wonder of knowing the Lord Jesus Christ while we admit at the same time that we will never know Him fully this side of heaven. That's an emphasis I hope to bring when I teach this class in Vlad. Paul described the Lord Jesus as the one "...in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" (Col. 2:3). I find that statement interesting in view of the fact that we have stated with truth the relationship between the two testaments - "the new is in the old concealed; the old is in the new revealed." Yet Paul describes Christ in Colossians 2 as one involved in divine concealment...it points to the reality that promise leads to fulfillment, but it is still an incomplete fulfillment of all of God's redemptive purposes.
Essentially we admit that we do not know all that we do not know of God's redemptive plan or purposes; this is the language of mystery. Woe to the teacher who seeks to eradicate the mystery of redemption and godliness where even God retains it. Prayer: "Redeemer Jesus, help me teach about you with a humble sense that I understand so little. Grow my understanding of you, your person, your works, your sufferings, your purpose as the Son of God who gave Himself to have a people for His own possession."
Tomorrow: Thoughts from a veteran...
We received the good news today from my travel agent in New York that she is confident of having my visa in her hands "by the end of the month." :) I am thankful for how our God works out even the smallest details of our lives. I hope I remember this reality three or four weeks from now when I am struggling with some detail or irritation many miles away from my home country in a land with a people whose language I cannot understand well. Prayer: "Lord, give me the grace to accept that my times are in your hands, and that you design every trial for my sanctification to find ultimate satisfaction only in you." May I remember this during the month of October.
More on teaching Christology or the doctrine Christ: John mentions near the end of his Gospel (John 20:30; 21:25) that Jesus "did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book" and ""Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written." John grasped the enormity of his subject. Jesus Christ would not be exhaustively displayed in a 21 chapter Gospel effort. I am convinced that we must not lose the wonder of knowing the Lord Jesus Christ while we admit at the same time that we will never know Him fully this side of heaven. That's an emphasis I hope to bring when I teach this class in Vlad. Paul described the Lord Jesus as the one "...in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" (Col. 2:3). I find that statement interesting in view of the fact that we have stated with truth the relationship between the two testaments - "the new is in the old concealed; the old is in the new revealed." Yet Paul describes Christ in Colossians 2 as one involved in divine concealment...it points to the reality that promise leads to fulfillment, but it is still an incomplete fulfillment of all of God's redemptive purposes.
Essentially we admit that we do not know all that we do not know of God's redemptive plan or purposes; this is the language of mystery. Woe to the teacher who seeks to eradicate the mystery of redemption and godliness where even God retains it. Prayer: "Redeemer Jesus, help me teach about you with a humble sense that I understand so little. Grow my understanding of you, your person, your works, your sufferings, your purpose as the Son of God who gave Himself to have a people for His own possession."
Tomorrow: Thoughts from a veteran...
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
September 19, 2012
Day fifty-three, seventeen remaining. Beware - this will be a longer post, as I have not written for three weeks. By God's grace I will blog every day from this point to my departure and during the duration of my time with Pastor Steve Graham in Vlad. It has been a long and hectic three weeks and now (of course!) October 6 and the prospect of flying out of Charlotte to JFK Airport in New York seem on top of me. Time marches on to a ceaseless indefatigable drummer... In fact, I had promised on that day (August 29) to provide my approach to teaching a class on Christology. Let me deal with that first.
I will build the class on three foundation stones: First, we will seek to build our Christology from a study of the Scriptures. That is not to say we will not read or respect the writings of Christian authors outside of the Word. But these will retain a subordinate position to the Scriptures. Second, we will study with the belief that in this life the Lord Jesus Christ may be known adequately for salvation (see the Shorter Catechism, Questions 1-3) but not exhaustively. Third, while presumably we are studying the Lord Jesus Christ in all His glory as the eternal Son of God we eventually understand that it is He who is studying us all along. It is is King Jesus' Spirit who shines the light of His word in our hearts, exposing our hearts and consciences for they are, and more importantly, who we are. This brings us to a moment of worship as we realize the Lord of Glory loved us even unto death, though we hated Him. There you have it - three foundation stones. Of course in the study we will look at Jesus in His offices of Prophet, Priest, and King. We will see Him in the proto evangelium (first Gospel word, if you will) of Genesis 3:15 as the one who would "crush the serpent's head". We will hear Him with John in the final verses of Revelation say, "Surely I am coming soon" (Rev. 22:20). I will use John Murray's Redemption Accomplished and Applied, the 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith, John Calvin's Commentaries, J. I. Packer's Knowing God, D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones' God's Ultimate Purpose, Edmund Clowney's The Church, and A.J. Conyers' A Basic Christian Theology.
Some of you heard that my visa application process was stalled. That has been remedied and everything is in the works. We re-sent my visa application, $, and passport to our NY travel agent in Brooklyn, NY this past Friday. She called on Monday and confirmed she had received it. We understand she immediately sent it on to the appropriate party. We're on go!
For those of you wondering about my preparation, pray for me. Essentially I am attempting to have forty (40) lectures prepared by the time I leave on October 6. My goal for each lecture is about 25 minutes of material, allowing for equal time for translation plus questions from students. The truth is I find the preparation of lectures joyful labor. What is greater than teaching God's glorious Gospel? Cheryl has been a wonderful support in the whole endeavor. I only wish she could accompany me.
More tomorrow on Christology...
I will build the class on three foundation stones: First, we will seek to build our Christology from a study of the Scriptures. That is not to say we will not read or respect the writings of Christian authors outside of the Word. But these will retain a subordinate position to the Scriptures. Second, we will study with the belief that in this life the Lord Jesus Christ may be known adequately for salvation (see the Shorter Catechism, Questions 1-3) but not exhaustively. Third, while presumably we are studying the Lord Jesus Christ in all His glory as the eternal Son of God we eventually understand that it is He who is studying us all along. It is is King Jesus' Spirit who shines the light of His word in our hearts, exposing our hearts and consciences for they are, and more importantly, who we are. This brings us to a moment of worship as we realize the Lord of Glory loved us even unto death, though we hated Him. There you have it - three foundation stones. Of course in the study we will look at Jesus in His offices of Prophet, Priest, and King. We will see Him in the proto evangelium (first Gospel word, if you will) of Genesis 3:15 as the one who would "crush the serpent's head". We will hear Him with John in the final verses of Revelation say, "Surely I am coming soon" (Rev. 22:20). I will use John Murray's Redemption Accomplished and Applied, the 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith, John Calvin's Commentaries, J. I. Packer's Knowing God, D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones' God's Ultimate Purpose, Edmund Clowney's The Church, and A.J. Conyers' A Basic Christian Theology.
Some of you heard that my visa application process was stalled. That has been remedied and everything is in the works. We re-sent my visa application, $, and passport to our NY travel agent in Brooklyn, NY this past Friday. She called on Monday and confirmed she had received it. We understand she immediately sent it on to the appropriate party. We're on go!
For those of you wondering about my preparation, pray for me. Essentially I am attempting to have forty (40) lectures prepared by the time I leave on October 6. My goal for each lecture is about 25 minutes of material, allowing for equal time for translation plus questions from students. The truth is I find the preparation of lectures joyful labor. What is greater than teaching God's glorious Gospel? Cheryl has been a wonderful support in the whole endeavor. I only wish she could accompany me.
More tomorrow on Christology...
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