It's been minute or so since I've post here. Between happenings, trips, conversations, books reads, sermons listened to, and a rekindled passion to chase after Christ & cherish His Gospel, I have much to say!
Yet, since it may take time to flesh out, on pen and paper all, I want to say; I'll just stick with a list of some of my favorite books that I've read to break the hiatus. Some of these I've read recently, others a while ago.
"The Knowledge of the Holy" by A.W. Tozer
A short yet, rich read on the nature and attributes of God. Tozer does a poor, yet spectacular job at explaining the character and nature of God! I recommend reading a chapter a day.
"God is the Gospel" by John Piper
It's been said that once you read one of John Piper's books, then you've read them all. There's truth in that statement, for in all his books (at least the ones I've read), his most known quote, "God is most satisfied in us, when we are most satisfied in Him." applied to whatever topic the book is on.
Nonetheless, his book God is the Gospel is a wonderful read! Throughout the book Piper shares about the many gifts God gives us through the Gospel, but time and time again shares how they are not the supreme, highest, or even greatest gift. He shares how the supreme, highest, and greatest gift is God Himself to delight in and enjoy!
"Follow Me" by David Platt
I love Platt. Not just because he lead a group of several thousand college students at a missions conference that I went to this past holiday break to pray for Somalia (in which I got to thank him personally for), but I love the passion and heart he has for the people of God, the Gospel, and the great commission. His book "Follow Me" reflects His passion and heart! In this book David shares about what it mean to truly be a disciple of Christ, and what Jesus means when He says, "Follow me" (Mark 1:17). This book by Platt is a rich, convicting, and challenging read for sure!
"The Insanity of God" by Nik Ripken
A former pastor from my church (College Park Church) highly recommend a book by about a guy who was a missionary to Somalia back in the early 90's. Pastor Joe said that if I wanted it, then he'd buy it, and have it shipped to me, and of course I said yes!
This is a gripping, convicting, and rich read about Nik (and His family's) faith journey and a resurrected faith! Nik shares briefly about life growing up, his meeting of his wife Ruth, struggles in ministry in the Horn of Africa, and encouraging travels as he went around the world to spend time and learn from brothers & sisters who have been and are being persecuted for the Faith! A powerful read for sure!
"Gospel Deep" by Jared C. Wilson
Here's another brother I love! I love His love for the Gospel, and how in his sermons and writings he always brings it back to the Gospel and it Author! Many a time, I have been greatly encouraged, hyped-up, and compelled to chase after Christ as a result of reading on of his writings or listening to one of his sermons.
Jared's book Gospel Deeps probably one of my top 3 favorite books! You can definitely see His passion and love for the Gospel throughout this work. In it he takes you into the depths of the Gospel, or another way to say it, hold it up like a diamond to see all its facets. I promise this book will leave beholding the beauty of the Gospel, and marveling at it's Author! Ha! If you wanna borrow my copy then just ask! You may even just find me thrusting it into your hands, and pleading you to read it! Yep....it's that dandy!
"Looking Unto Jesus" by Isaac Ambrose
Any book or literary work by the puritans are purely rich with the person and work of Christ! I haven't read many puritan works, but this captivating, compelling, and dandy volume by Isaac Ambrose is deep deep, and a fountain of richness! Now I never read this thick volume all \the way through yet, but from how far I've gotten I can tell you it's some sweet dandyness for sure! Here's the inside title page: Looking Unto Jesus: A View of the Everlasting Gospel; or The Soul's Eyeing of Jesus, As Carrying on the Great Work of Man's Salvation, From Fist to Last.
You kinda get the idea now of what this thick book may be about? Looking Unto Jesus by Ambrose may take a bit to go through, and it's definitely slow read; its content definitely worth a reread after every part and chapter, a meditation. I will say though, that it will leave you mind, heart, and soul filled with Christ in a beautifully dandy way!
Saturday, August 16, 2014
Friday, April 4, 2014
Behold the Lamb of God
I'm a writer, who loves to write, and who has a somewhat history of the art.....well if you wanna call it an art. From poem, to short stories, to songs; I've written all kinds of pieces of....art :) Yet, I have kind of slowed down a bit. Not much inspiration has come my way, but when it does come, it come with spontaneous gospel-sweetness! So a bit earlier, I was inspired by God's Word more specifically John 1:29....."The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said 'Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!'" So inspired by this God-breathed, God-inspired passages; this song came forth....
We all like sheep have gone astray
Turning to go our own way
Against You Lord
Against You Lord
Hostile in mind, doing evil deeds
Far from You, as Your enemies
Despising You God
Despising You God
But hope has arrived
So let's lift up our eyes
Chorus
Behold the Lamb of God
Who takes away the sin of the world
The sin of world
So come one & all to the Cross
All who are weary &lost
With empty hands
With empty hands
And by faith cling to the Son
Who poured out His soul & His blood
To save our souls
To save our souls
Our hearts explode into joyous song
We lift up a shout praise
Joining with the heavenly throng:
"Glory, to the Lamb that was slain!"
We all like sheep have gone astray
Turning to go our own way
Against You Lord
Against You Lord
Hostile in mind, doing evil deeds
Far from You, as Your enemies
Despising You God
Despising You God
But hope has arrived
So let's lift up our eyes
Chorus
Behold the Lamb of God
Who takes away the sin of the world
The sin of world
So come one & all to the Cross
All who are weary &lost
With empty hands
With empty hands
And by faith cling to the Son
Who poured out His soul & His blood
To save our souls
To save our souls
Our hearts explode into joyous song
We lift up a shout praise
Joining with the heavenly throng:
"Glory, to the Lamb that was slain!"
Friday, March 21, 2014
Winter No More!
Spring is starting to break through, she's peaking her beautiful head out of her hole, ready to make another appearance for the.........1145th....time? You know, something like that. Man, I just like the first feel of Spring don't ya? Colder weather starting to die down, being pushed out by the warmer; the birds are getting more chirpier. It's in the air; you can feel it in the atmosphere. The sighs of joyful relief can be heard from many people you talk to or interact with. Thank the Lord for Springs arrival!
Yes, I did indeed thank the Lord as I was on my way to meet up with some dear friends for a fun evening. Specifically, I thanked Him for giving me and others the patience to endure through the winter. Ha! For as well all know, for much of the nation it's been one of most brutal and seemingly merciless winters to date! The bitter cold below zero temps, probably hundreds of feet of snow (of course I'm exaggerating), and not to mention the....dreaded crater-like potholes that appeared when the snow melted! It all made me cry out (along with thousands of others), "When will it end!". So, as you could imagine, my thanksgiving to the Lord for giving me, and others, that patient endurance through such a brutal winter was a heart-imbedded genuine one.
I remember telling customers at Trader Joe's (which is my place of employment) that all this winter madness will come to an end, and Spring is coming! Yes, there was indeed that hope, that I was reminded of! SPRING IS COMING!
Now, after giving that thanksgiving to the Lord, a truth came to mind. The truth that this life is rough. Oh, the struggle, the pain, the roughness, the hardships, the heartaches, the longings, the sweating, the groaning, the tears! How far we have fallen, and how much we corrupted! Even creation under a curse, being subjected to futility (Rom. 8:20). Yes, we've all (all people on this God-created green earth) experienced in many ways the effects of the fall, and are effected by the effects of sin. Oh, to be rid of our sin, and the sin in this world!
Here is our hope:
"And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies." ~Rom. 8:23
"And I heard a loud voice from the throne, 'Behold the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there ne mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.'" ~Rev. 21:3-4
This hope is a hope that is not false or vain. It's a hope, a promise, and a guarantee that embrace in with faith. A gospel-hope, a gospel-promise that is a sure as the wind is as it blows against our faces. For it's because of the Gospel, that we are citizens of a kingdom that has come and is coming; a kingdom that won't be shaken (Heb. 12:28)! Indeed it's through the proclamation of the Gospel by the church that Jesus is on the move making righting wrongs, dispelling the darkness with the light of His glory, healing, restoring, & redeeming!
So yea, there will be many a time where we become weary, worn, exhausted, beat down, and overwhelmingly discouraged and distraught by all the sin, evil, darkness, & corruption in the world. It will makes us want to cry out along with the Christian band Tenth Avenue North, "Let me see redemption win! Let me know struggle ends!" Yet, I hear Jesus say, "The one endures to the end will be saved." That is our call to persevere, to endure, to press on against the tide of sin, the flesh, and the world. To look to and cling to Christ as we do so! Embracing the promises of our great Shepherd and Savior's return! The promises of future glory & grace (Rom. 8:18 & 1 Pet. 1:13)!
Yes, I did indeed thank the Lord as I was on my way to meet up with some dear friends for a fun evening. Specifically, I thanked Him for giving me and others the patience to endure through the winter. Ha! For as well all know, for much of the nation it's been one of most brutal and seemingly merciless winters to date! The bitter cold below zero temps, probably hundreds of feet of snow (of course I'm exaggerating), and not to mention the....dreaded crater-like potholes that appeared when the snow melted! It all made me cry out (along with thousands of others), "When will it end!". So, as you could imagine, my thanksgiving to the Lord for giving me, and others, that patient endurance through such a brutal winter was a heart-imbedded genuine one.
I remember telling customers at Trader Joe's (which is my place of employment) that all this winter madness will come to an end, and Spring is coming! Yes, there was indeed that hope, that I was reminded of! SPRING IS COMING!
Now, after giving that thanksgiving to the Lord, a truth came to mind. The truth that this life is rough. Oh, the struggle, the pain, the roughness, the hardships, the heartaches, the longings, the sweating, the groaning, the tears! How far we have fallen, and how much we corrupted! Even creation under a curse, being subjected to futility (Rom. 8:20). Yes, we've all (all people on this God-created green earth) experienced in many ways the effects of the fall, and are effected by the effects of sin. Oh, to be rid of our sin, and the sin in this world!
Here is our hope:
"And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies." ~Rom. 8:23
"And I heard a loud voice from the throne, 'Behold the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there ne mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.'" ~Rev. 21:3-4
This hope is a hope that is not false or vain. It's a hope, a promise, and a guarantee that embrace in with faith. A gospel-hope, a gospel-promise that is a sure as the wind is as it blows against our faces. For it's because of the Gospel, that we are citizens of a kingdom that has come and is coming; a kingdom that won't be shaken (Heb. 12:28)! Indeed it's through the proclamation of the Gospel by the church that Jesus is on the move making righting wrongs, dispelling the darkness with the light of His glory, healing, restoring, & redeeming!
So yea, there will be many a time where we become weary, worn, exhausted, beat down, and overwhelmingly discouraged and distraught by all the sin, evil, darkness, & corruption in the world. It will makes us want to cry out along with the Christian band Tenth Avenue North, "Let me see redemption win! Let me know struggle ends!" Yet, I hear Jesus say, "The one endures to the end will be saved." That is our call to persevere, to endure, to press on against the tide of sin, the flesh, and the world. To look to and cling to Christ as we do so! Embracing the promises of our great Shepherd and Savior's return! The promises of future glory & grace (Rom. 8:18 & 1 Pet. 1:13)!
Thursday, March 13, 2014
Why Somalia?!
"So why Somalia?" is the question people ask me when they find out that I want to be a missionary there some day (Lord willing). I use to answer that with, "You know, I don't know really.", then after a little pause I would add, "I guess over time the Lord has given me a heart for them.". Of course that was never an exciting or satisfying answer. Well sure, it's great to know that the Lord has given me a heart for them, but normally when a person shares about their heart for a particular country or people group there some story behind it.
I remember my good friend Matt, back in the day, share stories he's heard of the turmoil and suffering Somalia. One I heard him tell at least twice, about how the state of Somalia is so bad that Somalia out of desperation try to swim across the Red Sea to Saudi Arabia, but only to have Saudis see dead bodies of Somalis wash up on their shores. Well, I don't know if that's a true story or not, but it was from hearing stories like that one that have opened my eyes to the physical poverty and state Somalia was and is still in. Decades of civil wars, famines, droughts, and the terror of Islamist extremism have plagued this nation.
So with this nation be 99.7% muslim and roughly 0.3% Christian, things are slowly and steadily starting to get better there though, with a recent inaugurated government, that has been dealing with Islamist extremists. Yet, the regions of Somaliland (in the north) and Puntland are semi-autonomous. According to Voice of the Martyrs there is a rough estimate of fewer than 200 Somali converts from Islam to Christianity, but in the past few years dozens of Somali believers have been executed by the radical Islamist group known as al-shabab, Although muslim conversion to Christianity not illegal in Somalia. In Somaliland it is said that believers have been imprisoned and even expelled. Other unspeakable acts have been inflicted on Somali believers.
My heart aches as I think about all these things, along with the deeper and more sober reality of the spiritual darkness and poverty this people are in! Following the lies of Islam, and their own cultural beliefs, they're rushing headlong towards hell. Indeed, for the 99.7% of the nation that are outside of Christ before a holy God; it's a terrifyingly dangerous place for them to be! Yes, even at this moment heart is torn up as I think about all this and Somalia. It's like I feel the same way the apostle Paul does, as he expresses in Romans 9:
"I am speaking the truth in Christ--I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit--that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh." ~Romans 9:2-3
Of course Paul is speaking of the Jews who are outside of Christ, but that's how I feel for Somalia at times. Just those moments when that burden for them weighs so heavy on my heart to the point where tears start coming from my eyes; to the point where there's this restless anxiety (so to speak) in my soul. Oh, how I wish that I could trade places with every single one of them! Where I can be accursed and cut off from Christ, and they in turn enjoy the rich grace and blessing that flow freely from the Gospel! Oh, how I'm willing to die, so that they may have life, and have it abundantly!
Lord send me! I'll go (Isa. 6:8)!
I remember my good friend Matt, back in the day, share stories he's heard of the turmoil and suffering Somalia. One I heard him tell at least twice, about how the state of Somalia is so bad that Somalia out of desperation try to swim across the Red Sea to Saudi Arabia, but only to have Saudis see dead bodies of Somalis wash up on their shores. Well, I don't know if that's a true story or not, but it was from hearing stories like that one that have opened my eyes to the physical poverty and state Somalia was and is still in. Decades of civil wars, famines, droughts, and the terror of Islamist extremism have plagued this nation.
So with this nation be 99.7% muslim and roughly 0.3% Christian, things are slowly and steadily starting to get better there though, with a recent inaugurated government, that has been dealing with Islamist extremists. Yet, the regions of Somaliland (in the north) and Puntland are semi-autonomous. According to Voice of the Martyrs there is a rough estimate of fewer than 200 Somali converts from Islam to Christianity, but in the past few years dozens of Somali believers have been executed by the radical Islamist group known as al-shabab, Although muslim conversion to Christianity not illegal in Somalia. In Somaliland it is said that believers have been imprisoned and even expelled. Other unspeakable acts have been inflicted on Somali believers.
My heart aches as I think about all these things, along with the deeper and more sober reality of the spiritual darkness and poverty this people are in! Following the lies of Islam, and their own cultural beliefs, they're rushing headlong towards hell. Indeed, for the 99.7% of the nation that are outside of Christ before a holy God; it's a terrifyingly dangerous place for them to be! Yes, even at this moment heart is torn up as I think about all this and Somalia. It's like I feel the same way the apostle Paul does, as he expresses in Romans 9:
"I am speaking the truth in Christ--I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit--that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh." ~Romans 9:2-3
Of course Paul is speaking of the Jews who are outside of Christ, but that's how I feel for Somalia at times. Just those moments when that burden for them weighs so heavy on my heart to the point where tears start coming from my eyes; to the point where there's this restless anxiety (so to speak) in my soul. Oh, how I wish that I could trade places with every single one of them! Where I can be accursed and cut off from Christ, and they in turn enjoy the rich grace and blessing that flow freely from the Gospel! Oh, how I'm willing to die, so that they may have life, and have it abundantly!
Lord send me! I'll go (Isa. 6:8)!
Wednesday, March 5, 2014
Owned By Christ
Been thinking much about, and have been encouraged by this truth lately....
I'm not my own
And belong to no one else
But to Christ Jesus
And Him alone
Purchased & ransomed
By His blood
A stray sheep
That He sought & brought
Back into the fold God
My name is engraved
On His nail-scarred hands
And inscribed
On His heart
My life is hidden
In Him
Therefore I'm safe & secure
From accusation & alarm
Who I am
I wrapped up
In the Savior
And when the storms come
On the Him, the Solid Rock
I won't falter or waver
I'm indeed His
Prized possession
For by His death &resurrection
He has made me
His own
So now I can
Live & die confidently
For I'm in Christ
And it's to Him
I'm belong
I'm not my own
And belong to no one else
But to Christ Jesus
And Him alone
Purchased & ransomed
By His blood
A stray sheep
That He sought & brought
Back into the fold God
My name is engraved
On His nail-scarred hands
And inscribed
On His heart
My life is hidden
In Him
Therefore I'm safe & secure
From accusation & alarm
Who I am
I wrapped up
In the Savior
And when the storms come
On the Him, the Solid Rock
I won't falter or waver
I'm indeed His
Prized possession
For by His death &resurrection
He has made me
His own
So now I can
Live & die confidently
For I'm in Christ
And it's to Him
I'm belong
Tuesday, March 4, 2014
Blood Fellowship
This past weekend was College Park Church's (my church) annual theology conference, THINK. We were blessed this time around to have John Piper exposit the book of Philippians with us this year. It indeed was a rich weekend feasting upon the Word of God with the family of God that left my heart full! Full with thanksgiving to God for saving me! Thanksgiving for bringing me into something spectacular and incredible! Bringing me into an eternal fellowship with the Himself, His Son, and everyone else who adopted in by the blood of the Son! So that we can have enjoy and delight in times of fellowship and worship with the saints and the Most High God!
"that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ." ~ 1 John 1:3
Goodness! I submit to you that there is no greater joy, no greater place to be, than to be in the family of God! It's the blood of Jesus that brings us near to God, into His household, into the fellowship with Him and all the other blood-bought children (Eph 2:13-21). Indeed there is no more enmity between God and us, and against each other, for the Blood has also bought a peace we could obtain (Col 1:20 & Eph 2:14). To that we ought to shout...
"Hallelujah for the blood of the Lamb that was slain!" ~Tenth Avenue North
Yes!What joy, what delight; that the we have with each other in the Lord, with our Lord, and heavenly Father! A fellowship of sweet dandyness we've been brought into by the precious blood of the Lamb!
"that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ." ~ 1 John 1:3
Goodness! I submit to you that there is no greater joy, no greater place to be, than to be in the family of God! It's the blood of Jesus that brings us near to God, into His household, into the fellowship with Him and all the other blood-bought children (Eph 2:13-21). Indeed there is no more enmity between God and us, and against each other, for the Blood has also bought a peace we could obtain (Col 1:20 & Eph 2:14). To that we ought to shout...
"Hallelujah for the blood of the Lamb that was slain!" ~Tenth Avenue North
Yes!What joy, what delight; that the we have with each other in the Lord, with our Lord, and heavenly Father! A fellowship of sweet dandyness we've been brought into by the precious blood of the Lamb!
Tuesday, February 18, 2014
When Tempted to Despair
"Oh man, I've done it again. I am such a fool! I'm such a no good wretch!" Ever said these things after you have fallen into sin; whether it be lust, judgemetalism, anger? Ever said them with such an overwhelming spirit of despair and self-condemnation? Goodness, I know I have! Ha, and this is actually something that the Lord has shown me. It would feel like at times that when after I fall into sin, I feel like I need to pray or do something of that sort, because in the back of my mind I feel like I'm no longer under His favor. It's like I'm brought to despair over it.
What lies from Satan that we gravitate towards believing. Trying to make us think that we fallen from the Father's grace, and need to try to do what we can to get back under it. Oh, and how prone we are to fall for those lies, even without realizing it at times.
Yet it's the Gospel that can dispel the doubts and crush the despair. For we ought to have fully in mind that even though we may fall, we always end up landing in the Father's hands; the hands of grace. Indeed it's by His grace that we're saved, and by His grace that we are carried all the way home to Glory! The Scriptures even teach this. Let's take one verse for an example.
"Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died- more than that, who was raised- who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us." ~Romans 8:34
Well folks, there you have it! The Gospel! It's what we need to be reminded of when we are tempted to despair. For the Gospel says there is One who paid the debt we owed to God in full by His death and resurrection, and who is alive, standing as our intercessor and advocate! Indeed, we can take heart because the Gospel also says that we who are in Christ are no longer condemned (Rom. 8:1). Christ Jesus stood condemned in our place, took the curse for us (Gal 3:13), taking the wrath we deserve (Rom 3:25). Therefore we who are in Christ have no hell to fear, because we are under grace (Rom. 6:14)! Indeed we are those who have for shelter from the storm of the judgment of God under the banner of the blood of Christ!
There more that can be said here, but I'll leave it at this:
"When Satan tempts me to despair
And tells me of the guilt within
Upward I look and see Him there
Who put an end to all my sin
Because a sinless Savior died
My sinful soul is counted free
For God the Just is satisfied
To look on Him and pardon me!" ~Before the Throne of God Above
What lies from Satan that we gravitate towards believing. Trying to make us think that we fallen from the Father's grace, and need to try to do what we can to get back under it. Oh, and how prone we are to fall for those lies, even without realizing it at times.
Yet it's the Gospel that can dispel the doubts and crush the despair. For we ought to have fully in mind that even though we may fall, we always end up landing in the Father's hands; the hands of grace. Indeed it's by His grace that we're saved, and by His grace that we are carried all the way home to Glory! The Scriptures even teach this. Let's take one verse for an example.
"Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died- more than that, who was raised- who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us." ~Romans 8:34
Well folks, there you have it! The Gospel! It's what we need to be reminded of when we are tempted to despair. For the Gospel says there is One who paid the debt we owed to God in full by His death and resurrection, and who is alive, standing as our intercessor and advocate! Indeed, we can take heart because the Gospel also says that we who are in Christ are no longer condemned (Rom. 8:1). Christ Jesus stood condemned in our place, took the curse for us (Gal 3:13), taking the wrath we deserve (Rom 3:25). Therefore we who are in Christ have no hell to fear, because we are under grace (Rom. 6:14)! Indeed we are those who have for shelter from the storm of the judgment of God under the banner of the blood of Christ!
There more that can be said here, but I'll leave it at this:
"When Satan tempts me to despair
And tells me of the guilt within
Upward I look and see Him there
Who put an end to all my sin
Because a sinless Savior died
My sinful soul is counted free
For God the Just is satisfied
To look on Him and pardon me!" ~Before the Throne of God Above
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