Holding Nothing

I figure every one knows the story of the wealthy young man of Matthew 19:6-22. I realize that the common view is that he went away sad and was never redeemed. While I admit that is very likely, the text leaves me a little short of that conclusion.

Let me reveal a little about myself, and how these verses have ministered to me.

About twelve years ago, I was alone in my room. Under the influence of some pretty harsh drugs, God smacked me upside the head. (No, I don't think it was the drugs talking.) I had made a profession of faith some thirteen years prior in a Jr. High youth group. But this night, I had the distinct impression that I was "self-medicating" to cover the pain caused by my own disobedience. Namely, I had tried to take back the life I had already given up to God.

God condescended to rescue me that night. It was a night of immense joy. It was also a night of immense sorrow. After the "Yes, LORD, I am Your possession." I asked, "What more must I do to be complete?" I understood I had to leave everything behind and follow Him. This included all my friends...the type of friends that would not only die for me, but kill also. We were closer than kin. The cost to me, at that time, seemed high. It was all I had, and it broke my heart to obey. But as you know it was but a momentary and light affliction when compared to the glory set before me (2 Cor 4:17).

My brothers and sisters, this is not the only time I have found it necessary to give up that which I loved for the cause of drawing close to my Savior.

More recently, I left a church that is, in my opinion, dying on the vine. But it was a church that allowed me to work on my gift (as modest as it might be) of preaching and teaching. Yet, the majority of the preaching left my family unfed. I could not continue to neglect the spiritual health of my family. I believe my family is my primary ministry, and preaching is secondary. Therefore, even though it saddened me (in some respects) to do so, I moved my family to a wonderful and vibrant church... one where my chances of preaching or teaching (given the depth of talent available) is slim to none. But the resulting spiritual growth in my family (self included), has meant that my "sacrifice" was no sacrifice at all.

By now, I suppose, you can understand why I don't necessarily see "he went away sorrowful" as "he went away to never obey and be condemned to hell." May we all, if called to, give up whatever holds us back from being complete.

Links; Gratuitous and Otherwise

I'm hoping my favorite international commenter Ann, can shed some light on this one(third snippet down), what do some Swedish girls have against guys? (Actually, I just wanted an excuse to throw a link her way.) Talk about the feminization of men, who will be left to take out the trash or work on the car? All I have to say is Jack won't sit and neither will I.


I'm really glad that Dan Phillips, a blogger who's readership greatly exceeds my own has taken up the cause, the eradication of the most annoying catch phrase of the decade.


I'm also quite pleased that Frank Turk has taken up the other cause of the decade. Go ahead, sign it. All the cool people are doing it.

Bathwater

edited for typos and other things that annoy my wife. 12/31

Gwen says, "But I still love to wash in your old bathwater." I know it's the girl version of Offspring's Self Esteem, but I don't care. I'm just going to rip it out of context and make it fit what I want to say. I don't even feel bad about it, really. It isn't Scripture; it's not even Zeppelin.

"But I still love to wash in your old bathwater." Some would probably say something to the effect of, "Eeww, that's gross".

But not me. I think, "Would my wife be happy in my bathwater?" Understand that I don't mean bathwater as in "the liquid just below the ring in the tub." I mean it more like, "Have I been so washed in the word of God that my wife is becoming more holy and blameless by steeping in my presence?"

Doesn't Eph 5:25-28 say to love my wife as Christ loved the church? Is she not my primary ministry? Am I a help to her sanctification? Ultimately, does being closer to me draw her closer to Christ? I surely hope so. I surely believe that as I grow, as Christ washes me, she may one day ask to wash in my old bathwater.

iPod Update

It has been two weeks since I was podjacked, I have given up hope and have moved on with my life. Only occasionally hoping to find the man only to drag him behind my truck over broken glass mixed with salt (kosher of course). But I'm not bitter, really, I've moved on.

Prayer Request

To the 8 or so people who visit here I have a prayer request. Not an ordinary prayer request, but rather a imprecatory prayer request, for the man that stole my iPod. It was stolen from my work truck, by a customer (I sell tools for a living). Hopefully the guy will hear "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God" and be distraught enough to return my iPod. But just in case can we all call fire down upon his head? Thanks.

Vicarious Suffering

A while back, I blogged on the joys I have discovered in the blessing of others. This weekend, the flipside of Rom 12:15 was brought to life, weeping with those that weep. Immense is the difference between driving by a serious car wreck and driving by and recognizing your close friends' car in a serious wreck. In the first incident, you may see people already helping and decide to keep moving, nothing to see here. But the second, you most assuredly stop, if you actually call them friend behind their back.

I pulled over for my friends this weekend and wept with them. Got angry at the other driver with them and covered them with prayer. There wasn't any room to ride in the ambulance, but I will be there to minister to wounds as best I can. I will also be keeping my hands at ten o'clock and two o'clock when I drive, with my eyes on the road. This wreck wasn't an accident, it may have been avoided, if everyone had been paying attention.