We are in a 100 year storm financially. I am not kidding. It only remains to see how bad things will get and it appears that they will get pretty bad. Bad as in Great Depression bad. Storm as in, it will affect the rest of my working life, storm. Words at this point probably cannot do justice to what will come. What is a follower of Christ to do here?
1. Remember that God is in control of all things, everywhere, at all times (Dan 4.34-35).
2. Recall that John Calvin wrote that since God is sovereign we ought to have praise in prosperity, patience in adversity, and hope in the future. So patience in adversity is in order here.
3. Willingly and humbly submit to the situation that God puts us in—Indonesian and Indian believers are losing their houses and even lives right now because they are Christians. Some of us will end up in difficult living/financial situations because of this storm. So be it. God is still God and has promised to provide our needs (not wants or desires, just needs - Phil 4.19).
4. Make wise financial decisions. Conserve cash. Don't take on more debt. If you are going to invest in this environment, either absolutely know what you are doing, or invest to conserve principle (which at this point means pretty much only U. S. Treasuries, a bank savings account (under $100,000), or a CD. Be careful with Money Market Funds.
5. Don't waste your life worrying about your retirement funds (or lack thereof). Pour yourself into ministering to people (to immortal beings as C. S. Lewis put it) Matt 6.33-34.
6. Difficult times offer opportunities to preach the gospel. Look for opportunities!
Thursday, September 18, 2008
On the Nature of Sin
I am pondering Ray Boltz's announcement that he has fully chosen a gay lifestyle. His most painful (to me) words are:
“This is what it really comes down to,” he says. “If this is the way God made me, then this is the way I’m going to live. It’s not like God made me this way and he’ll send me to hell if I am who he created me to be … I really feel closer to God because I no longer hate myself.”
Just so. One wonders if Mr. Boltz would accept this sort of justification in his children for instance. "Dad, I know I'm not supposed to lie and steal, but the fact of the matter is that I have an uncontrollable urge to lie and steal. I can only conclude that God made me this way, and if he made me this way I'm going to live this way. I'm only being who God created me to be ( a liar and thief). I really feel closer to God being a liar and thief."
I know, sounds crazy doesn't it, but it's the natural outworking of Mr. Boltz's theology.
This is the nature of deep and abiding sin. I cannot control it, so I give in to it and call it "the way God made me," despite the clear biblical teaching that it is, well, sin. It's why Psalm 66.18 is so important.
The Christian's badge of belief is that he fights sin to his last breath. He does not give in to it when the struggle becomes too much. He keeps fighting. Fight sin!
“This is what it really comes down to,” he says. “If this is the way God made me, then this is the way I’m going to live. It’s not like God made me this way and he’ll send me to hell if I am who he created me to be … I really feel closer to God because I no longer hate myself.”
Just so. One wonders if Mr. Boltz would accept this sort of justification in his children for instance. "Dad, I know I'm not supposed to lie and steal, but the fact of the matter is that I have an uncontrollable urge to lie and steal. I can only conclude that God made me this way, and if he made me this way I'm going to live this way. I'm only being who God created me to be ( a liar and thief). I really feel closer to God being a liar and thief."
I know, sounds crazy doesn't it, but it's the natural outworking of Mr. Boltz's theology.
This is the nature of deep and abiding sin. I cannot control it, so I give in to it and call it "the way God made me," despite the clear biblical teaching that it is, well, sin. It's why Psalm 66.18 is so important.
The Christian's badge of belief is that he fights sin to his last breath. He does not give in to it when the struggle becomes too much. He keeps fighting. Fight sin!
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Heart Idols and Discerning God's Will
I've been pondering Ezekiel 14.3 today. A comment from the Expositor's Bible Commentary on the verse got me thinking. The commentator said: This verse is important for those who come to Scripture seeking guidance. No true direction can be given to those who have erected idols in their hearts. This has profound ramifications for discerning God's will. If one comes to him with a heart given over to idols of whatever kind, any attempt to seek God's guidance will be disastrous.
What this means in a practical sense is that, with a heart full of idols, I can convince myself that what I want to do is God directing me. This is a dangerous place indeed and ought to give me pause to analyze very carefully my own heart. To do what I want and call it "God's will for me" is an affront to God and takes his glory and attempts to put it on me. Not good.
What this means in a practical sense is that, with a heart full of idols, I can convince myself that what I want to do is God directing me. This is a dangerous place indeed and ought to give me pause to analyze very carefully my own heart. To do what I want and call it "God's will for me" is an affront to God and takes his glory and attempts to put it on me. Not good.
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