Repost: Paidagogos & Schoolmaster

It is important to any understanding of Scripture that we realize the significance and meaning of the message that was first delivered to the saints. To know what Scripture means to us today, we must understand what it meant to the original recipients of the Word. This is not a difficult task, but it is one that must be recognized.

Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. Galatians 3:24

When New Testament Christians read this verse, they learned that the law was a paidagogos. When they saw that word, they would never have thought of a schoolmaster as we do today. The paidagogos was more like what we might think of as an escort or a bodyguard. This servant’s job was to protect the child from evil influences and guarantee that he arrived at the teacher’s house. He didn’t teach anything except what not to do, and he normally taught that with a rod or switch. The paidagogos brought the child to the schoolmaster. The schoolmaster taught the child what he needed to know to be a citizen.

The law protected the nation of Israel and preserved the lineage of Christ, so that Christ could teach us how to become citizens. The law (the paidagogos) brought us to Christ (the master teacher) so we could learn that true living comes by faith.

Christ is the master teacher. The law is a ruthless slave. If you want to know how to live, look to Christ, not the law.

Originally posted August 7, 2007

Where is Revival Needed?

“Where is Revival Needed?”

Here is the sermon that someone referred to in the comments.

So, where else is revival needed?

Text:  Proverbs 29:18

Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.

Introduction

• What is Revival?  Back to Life!
• No Vision, People Perish, Need Revival
• When we’re sick, we go to the doctor and he examines us, we expect him to address the areas that are ailing us.
  • Not healthy areas
  • Not cosmetic problems – Jeremiah 6:14
  • Real healing (treatment) for real problems
  • We need the treatment where we have the problem
  • If it is not treated, it could kill us
• So,,, where is revival needed?

Interpretation & Explanation

• Vision
• Example of Scripture
  • Genesis 15:1 – After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.
  • Numbers 12:6 – And he said, Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, I the LORD will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream.
  • 1 Samuel 3:1 – And the child Samuel ministered unto the LORD before Eli. And the word of the LORD was precious in those days; there was no open vision.
  • 1 Samuel 3:15 – And Samuel lay until the morning, and opened the doors of the house of the LORD. And Samuel feared to show Eli the vision.
  • 2 Samuel 7:17 – According to all these words, and according to all this vision, so did Nathan speak unto David.
  • 2 Chronicles 15:3 – Now for a long season Israel hath been without the true God, and without a teaching priest, and without law.
  • 2 Chronicles 32:32 – Now the rest of the acts of Hezekiah, and his goodness, behold, they are written in the vision of Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, and in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel.
  • Isaiah 1:1 – The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.
  • Isaiah 29:11 – And the vision of all is become unto you as the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one that is learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I cannot; for it is sealed:
  • Jeremiah 14:14 – Then the LORD said unto me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spoke unto them: they prophesy unto you a false vision and divination, and a thing of naught, and the deceit of their heart.
  • Jeremiah 23:16 – Thus saith the LORD of hosts, Hearken not unto the words of the prophets that prophesy unto you: they make you vain: they speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of the LORD.
  • Lamentations 2:9 – Her gates are sunk into the ground; he hath destroyed and broken her bars: her king and her princes are among the Gentiles: the law is no more; her prophets also find no vision from the LORD.
  • Ezekiel 7:26 – Mischief shall come upon mischief, and rumor shall be upon rumor; then shall they seek a vision of the prophet; but the law shall perish from the priest, and counsel from the ancients.
  • Ezekiel 12:22-24, 27 – Son of man, what is that proverb that ye have in the land of Israel, saying, The days are prolonged, and every vision faileth?  Tell them therefore, Thus saith the Lord GOD; I will make this proverb to cease, and they shall no more use it as a proverb in Israel; but say unto them, The days are at hand, and the effect of every vision.  For there shall be no more any vain vision nor flattering divination within the house of Israel. (27) Son of man, behold, they of the house of Israel say, The vision that he seeth is for many days to come, and he prophesieth of the times that are far off.
  • Ezekiel 13:7 – Have ye not seen a vain vision, and have ye not spoken a lying divination, whereas ye say, The LORD saith it; albeit I have not spoken?
  • Amos 8:12 – And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the LORD, and shall not find it.
  • Obadiah 1:1 – The vision of Obadiah. Thus saith the Lord GOD concerning Edom; We have heard a rumor from the LORD, and an ambassador is sent among the heathen, Arise ye, and let us rise up against her in battle.
  • Nahum 1:1 – The burden of Nineveh. The book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite.
  • Habakkuk 2:2-3 – And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.  For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.
  • Zechariah 13:4 – And it shall come to pass in that day, that the prophets shall be ashamed every one of his vision, when he hath prophesied; neither shall they wear a rough garment to deceive:
  • Proverbs 29:18 – Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.
• The Word of the Lord
  • Parallel nature of poetry
• When there was no written word, spoken by the man of God
• People
  • Plural
    • Ezra 9:8-9 – And now for a little space grace hath been showed from the LORD our God, to leave us a remnant to escape, and to give us a nail in his holy place, that our God may lighten our eyes, and give us a little reviving in our bondage.  For we were bondmen; yet our God hath not forsaken us in our bondage, but hath extended mercy unto us in the sight of the kings of Persia, to give us a reviving, to set up the house of our God, and to repair the desolations thereof, and to give us a wall in Judah and in Jerusalem.
    • Psalms 85:6 – Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee?
    • Psalms 138:7 – Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me: thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy right hand shall save me.
    • Isaiah 57:15 – For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.
    • Hosea 6:2 -  After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight.
    • Hosea 14:7 – They that dwell under his shadow shall return; they shall revive as the corn, and grow as the vine: the scent thereof shall be as the wine of Lebanon.
    • Habakkuk 3:2 – O LORD, I have heard thy speech, and was afraid: O LORD, revive thy work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make known; in wrath remember mercy.
  • Corporate
    • If individuals can grow, cannot “groups” also grow?

o Family sins – when family practice is not in accordance with the Scripture

o Church sins

o Cultural sins

o National sins

• Not always sin, could be lack of growth
• Made up of individuals (“he that keepeth”)
• Perish
  • Are made naked
    • Exodus 32:25
  • Are lawless
    • Judges 17:6; 21:25 – In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes.
    • Proverbs 12:15 – The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.
    • Proverbs 21:2 – Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts.
  • Are idle, or play
    • Exodus 32:25
  • Are scattered
  • Are destroyed
• Keepeth
  • Psalm 19:11
• Law
  • The Word of God
• Happy – blessed
• Where
  • This is the place of perishing
  • This is where the revival is needed
  • Where there is no Word of God
  • Where is the Word of God not applied to our lives?

• The Bible speaks to every area of our lives,
  • Not just spiritual areas
  • All areas – “all ground is sacred; every bush is burning”
  • Not psychology – we study the word to see what man is like, not man; God’s instructions are not made “willy-nilly”
  • Not pragmatism – lots of things “work,” not all are biblical or God-honoring

o Contemporary worship services

o Question is what are we working toward

• Not big business methodology – businessmen in our church cannot impose business methods on the church; they must study the Bible to see how the church (and their business) should work

 

Application

• The message to the church
  • Individual application
    • How will we live when Christ rules the earth?
    • Workplace (vocation)
    • Politics
    • Relationships
  • Corporate application
    • Family application

o Celebrating the Lord’s Day

• How will we live when Christ rules the earth?

o The Bride of Christ – the church

• Ephesians 5:19
  • Music
  • Matthew 18:15-20
    • Church order
    • Acts 6:2-4
      • Church work
      • Eccl. 5:2; Matthew 6:6-13
        • Public prayer
        • “Owning the curse”
          • Homosexuality
          • Judicial problems
          • Women in combat

Conclusion

• Our lives, private, public, and corporate must be governed by and aligned with the Word of God
• This is something that must come from our study of Scripture
  • From biblical teaching (spoken, written)
  • From Bible study
  • From godly communion, fellowship
• As we seek revival, let us seek to draw nearer to God and His standards individually, yes, but also as families and as a church

Church-wide Revival

Here are some questions that I have thought about for a long time.  These are related to the present topic and are mostly asked to help get us to be thinking about revival in more that just one way.  My premise is that the question of revival could be applied to churches corporately.  If that is true, the following questions come to mind.

1. How does a church “get right with God”?
2. How does a church “please God”?
3. How does a church “grow in grace”?
4. How does a church start a “new beginning of obedience”?

Wouldn’t it be more than just individual actions?

Revive Us Again

There are many preachers speaking about revival, and many evangelists hold revival meetings.  In this post, I’d like to look at one very well known passage on revival.  I am not right now addressing what revival is.  I may get to my thoughts about that or maybe Kent or Dave will.  Today, just some thoughts from the Old Testament psalm that gives us the title to the popular song.

In my limited study, I notice many parallels between salvation and revival.  First, both are miracles of God.  Man doesn’t save himself and neither does he revive himself.  Salvation gives life to the dead; revival gives life again to the dead.  In salvation we are born again; in revival, we have life again.  In salvation we are made sons; when the prodigal son returns, there is revival.

LORD, thou hast been favorable unto thy land: thou hast brought back the captivity of Jacob. Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of thy people, thou hast covered all their sin. Selah. Thou hast taken away all thy wrath: thou hast turned thyself from the fierceness of thine anger. Turn us, O God of our salvation, and cause thine anger toward us to cease. Wilt thou be angry with us for ever? wilt thou draw out thine anger to all generations? Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee? Shew us thy mercy, O LORD, and grant us thy salvation. (Psalm 85:1-7)

In this passage I see many helps to understanding revival.

• The plea of revival – when the psalmist uses the word “wilt,” he is not doubting the Lord’s ability.  He is confident that God will do this thing.  God has been favorable.  He has forgiven their iniquity.  He has taken away all wrath, and He will revive us again.  It is a word that shows desire.  God pours blessings on those that are thirsty.
• The person of revival – the pronouns “thou” and “thy” refer specifically to the LORD.  He is the one that gives revival.  Many preachers acknowledge this in their preaching and then go on to exhort us to think that we have some control over the “process.”  They preach like there are some “laws” of nature that if simply followed will give us revival.  They forget that God is the laws of nature, and all things work the way they do because He continuously maintains them.  There are no formulas for revival.  There is only God.
• The people of revival – revival is not for unsaved people.  The plea is that God would revive “us.”  These are God’s people already.  They are saved people.  I’m reminded of the church in Revelation 3:1 which had a name, but was dead.  They needed revival.
• The pattern of revival – this is found in the word “again.”  Some people have the idea that people get saved and then the get revived and then they go to heaven….that revival is a one time occurrence in a believer’s life.  But as it stands, the word revival means life again already.  So the psalmist is asking for life again again.  The pattern is that believers need life again and again and again.  It’s like the wisdom that we’re told to ask for over and over and over again (James 1:5).  It’s like springtime that brings life back to the ground.  This happens over and over and over again.
• Finally, and most helpful, the purpose of revival – we want revival so that we can rejoice in God.  This is foundational and I believe missing from most Christians’ understanding.  Pastors want revival so that their congregations will live in harmony and so that they will bring more people into their services.  People want revival so that they can attain some mystical feeling of super spirituality and have the lost tremble in their presence at work.  But the purpose of revival is so that we can truly rejoice in God.  How simple.  Yet how difficult.  I don’t want to rejoice in God.  I want to rejoice in my own attainments even if (or especially because) they are spiritual or religious attainments.  I would rather be discouraged because God isn’t treating me like I think I deserve.  I’d rather be happy with myself than rejoice in my God.

We really do need revival.  There is so little rejoicing in God.  Who He is.  What He does.  We need a fresh realization of Who He is and what He does and then we need revival so that we can rejoice in that.

The TRUTH makes Enemies

Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?  Galatians 4:16

There is a certainty about truth that many who claim to love it do not like.  And that is that the TRUTH makes enemies.  In the age of tolerance we live in (which also affects Christianity and independent Baptists), making enemies is about the worst sin a person can commit.  Now, I’m not here promoting the making of enemies.  The Word says that when a man’s ways please God, even his enemies will be at peace with him.  But the Word also states that some who are told the truth will esteem the truth-tellers to be enemies.  From this I gather that love of truth must come before love of friendship or fellowship.  If we love the truth and speak it in love, and those who hear it count us as enemies, we must love truth more than friends.  In this verse, Paul continues to speak to and try to help those who counted him as an enemy.  But he did not change his message or water it down.  He did not leave some truth out that was not important or not essential.  Because all TRUTH is important and essential.

So love the truth; love people; and don’t be afraid to make some enemies.

Dangerous TRUTH

Have you considered that something as good and honorable as the truth could be dangerous?  That’s the truth, actually.  You see, Paul teaches us in Romans that indignation, wrath, tribulation, and anguish come upon every soul that disobeys the truth.

But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; (Romans 2:8-9)

These are the consequences of disobeying the truth.  Here again, the definite article designates truth as an all encompassing whole.  It makes us acknowledge that we should strive to obey all the truth.  And it makes the rhetorical question, “Which truths can be disobeyed?” quite powerful.

If it’s dangerous to disobey the truth, we should want to know and obey all truth.  There’s no middle ground with the truth.  Obey it and be blessed, disobey and have anguish.

Thy WORD is TRUTH

Folks, I had to deal with some unplanned school activities for several hours yesterday.  Hence, my tardiness and brevity.   But consider today the relationship between the Word of God and the Truth.  Jesus said along the way in His high priestly prayer, “Thy word is truth.”  When He did that, he stated an equivalence between them.  I believe that ranking doctrine is related to ranking Scripture. If we can or have to determine which scriptures are more important, i.e. really truth, then we feel that we can or have to determine which doctrines are also more important.  Is seems that one’s belief about preservation affects his view of doctrine.  Which only makes sense (or maybe it’s circular).  He doesn’t think preservation is a primary doctrine.  Maybe that is a root problem!

Maybe some of you can develop these thoughts in the comments…

THE Truth

There are many places in the Bible that address the subject of truth. Of course, all the Bible itself is true in one way or another. It either speaks the truth or gives the true account of something that is untrue. Christ also spoke the truth and about the truth often. He said, Ye shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free.

One of the most well known times that Christ spoke the truth about the Truth is in John 14:6 where he said, I am the way, the truth, and the life, no man cometh unto the Father but by me. In this text, several attributes of the truth are seen.

1. The truth can be known.
2. The truth is external.
3. The truth is unchanging.
4. The truth is eternal.
5. The truth is absolute.

Whenever anyone claims that something IS true, he is assuming that EVERYTHING else is not true. If someone believes Christ, then he believes the truth. If he denies Christ, then he denies the truth. Even if he only does not admit Christ is the truth, then he does not admit to the truth. The point I’m making is that there is only ONE truth, and everything is either true or it’s not. There is no space between truth and error.

Now, when people categorize the truth, they make us think that there are degrees of truth. This is dangerous. It gives us the feeling that there are some things that God does not care about. And that is not true. God is true, even if every man is a liar. Admittedly, the impact of my errors may differ according to what I am in error about, but the fact of the error still stands. If I am in error, I am believing a lie.

As the month progresses, you will read our three perspectives on the truth.  We may differ, and if so, then one or even all of us are wrong, but we must remember and respect a person who is honestly seeking the truth and seeking to align his life and practice with it.

57 Questions about Dave

In my quest to be completely objectively subjective. Or was it completely subjectively objective, I found a few memes I think they’re called to let you know some things about myself and my cohorts here. I hope Jack Hammer approves. Hopefully, there is not too much lint in these posts.

This one is called 57 Questions.

1. What time did you get up this morning? 4:30 and 6:00
2. Diamonds or pearls? Neither.  I don’t wear jewelry, other than my wedding ring and a watch.  Although my wedding ring does have diamonds in it.  But then again, I don’t think that I would look good in pearls.  Now, my wife?  That is a different story.  I have bought her both pearls and diamonds.  Probably more diamonds than pearls, if that makes a difference.  So, I would probably pick diamonds.  But never Neal.
3. What was the last film you saw?  “No Deposit, No Return”
4. What is your favorite TV show?  C-Span is my favorite show to switch channels on.  In fact, if I were to be perfectly honest, I would have to say that “Channel Surfing” is my favorite show.  The only shows that compel me to stop channel surfing are “Law and Order” or any similar crime show, and “Everybody Loves Raymond”
5. What do you usually have for breakfast?  I usually eat Cheerios until the box is empty.  Then I will eat toast.  Or else I will eat oatmeal if my wife makes enough and my kids don’t hog it all.  I have also been known to eat eggs, pancakes, biscuits and gravy, and even an occasional waffle
6. What is your middle name?  Ernest
7. What food do you dislike?  Octopus, Cow Tongue, and any green vegetable that has been cooked.
8. What is your favorite CD at the moment?  Foundation Brass Quintet “On Christmas Day.”  (That’s my spiritual answer.  My other answer, that I don’t want you to know about, is The Chipmunks…)
9. What kind of car do you drive?  Dodge Grand Caravan
10. Favorite sandwich?  Knuckle.  Or at least, that’s what I say when I’m trying to talk tough.  Or if I’m serving the sandwich.  If I’m to eat the sandwich, well then that’s a different story altogether.  When I’m the one eating, I like Bacon Cheeseburgers.
11. Favorite dish on the Thanksgiving table?  All of them.  Better yet, the one I’m eating at the moment.
12. What characteristics do you despise?  Wishy-washy.  Or maybe not…
13. Favorite item of clothing?  My argyle sweater vest.
14. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you go?  Alaska.
15. Favorite brand of clothing?  Bucky & Tucker.
16. Where would you retire to?  My back yard.
17. What was your most recent memorable birthday?  When I turned 12 and got my first BB gun.
18. Favorite sport to watch live?  Competitive Ring- around-a-Rosy.
19. Favorite sport to watch on TV?  Bowling.  And The International Duck-Duck-Goose Championships.
20. When is your birthday?  Annually, on my natal day.
21. Are you a morning person or a night person? yes.
22. What is your shoe size? 9 1/2
23. Pets? Dog, cat, rabbit, and five two-legged little people.
24. Any new and exciting news you’d like to share with us?  My brother-in-law and sister-in-law are coming for Christmas.  We didn’t think Christmas vacation was long enough, so, you know, when you can’t afford a longer vacation, invite the in-laws.  They make a week seem like a month.
25. What did you want to be when you were little?  The President of the United States.  A quarterback in the NFL.  And a pilot in the Air Force.
26. How are you today?  I’m glad you asked.  I’ve been better, but I’ve been worse too.  Right now, I’m not going to complain, because nobody’s gonna listen anyway.  Know what I mean?  So, I’m not complaining or anything, but my in-grown toenail is better today than it has been, probably because I didn’t stub my toe on any hard objects in the last couple of days.  I’m also thinking that I might get sick soon, because, as you know, there’s a lot of sickness going around right now.  But other than that, I’m fine really.  Thanks for asking though.
27. What is your favorite candy?  York Peppermint Paddies.
28. What is your favorite flower? Dandelions.
29. What is a day on the calendar you are looking forward to?  Today.
30. What is your full name?  Guess…
31. What are you listening to right now?  The fan in my bathroom.
32. What was the last thing you ate?  Cheerios.  Or was it Lucky Charms?  It was one of those two.
33. Do you wish on stars?  It depends on which star.  I kinda like Sirius, although Peacock can be kinda neat, too.  Castor and Pollux might be too trendy for me, and Arcturus is probably too hip.  Ya know, I like bucking the trends, so I probably would have to stay with the stars that normal people don’t wish on, like maybe Gracrux, Regor, Wezen, Mirzam, or Rasalhague.  Polaris can be fun, but the last time I wished on it, I ran into a tree.
34. If you were a crayon, what color would you be?  Awesome, or perhaps Atomic Tangerine.  Fern isn’t bad, but I’d never want to be Fuzzy Wuzzy Brown.  Nobody would ever accuse me of being Hot Magenta.  But I might consider Neon Carrot, if the price is right.  Don’t even bring up Tickle Me Pink.
35. How is the weather right now?  Cold and snowy
36. The first person you spoke to on the phone today?  the voice mail lady
37. Favorite soft drink?  Pop
38. Favorite restaurant?  The Roof
39. Real hair color?  Blonde
40. What was your favorite toy as a child?  My electric football game.  And my BB gun.
41. Summer or winter?  Winter
42. Hugs or kisses?  Ewww.  Well, okay.  I’ll be honest with you.  But carefully reserved too.  I don’t like to be kissed by my kids when their have food on their faces.  I don’t mind a hug, so long as they don’t hang.  When my kids kiss, the rule is “peaches.”  But when I kiss my wife, which I much prefer to hugging, its “alfalfa” baby.
43. Chocolate or Vanilla?  Actually, I prefer bubble gum
44. Coffee or tea?  Pop
45. Do you want your friends to email you back?  Absolutely.
46. When was the last time you cried?  Watching my son do the Chicken Dance around the living room.
47. What is under your bed?  Extra leaves to my dining room table.  And cat hair balls.
48. What did you do last night?  Slept.  What did you do?
49. What are you afraid of?  Fear.
50. Salty or sweet?  Sweet and salty
51. How many keys on your key ring?  Two on the one, Eight on the other.
52. How many years at your current job?  11.
53. Favorite day of the week?  Sunday.
54. How many towns have you lived in?  8.
55. Do you make friends easily?  It depends on if they’ll listen.
56. How many people will you send this to? approximately 1, 276.
57. How many will respond? It really all depends.  My friends will probably think about responding because they are my friends, but then they will probably not know what to say, so they will probably refrain.  Besides, they don’t like to show emotions on the World Wide Web — and I really can’t blame them.  All the other people will probably try really hard to ignore me, unless the 38th question captures their attention, in which case, they will try their best to resist any sort of response that might seem favorable.  I’m betting that all of our readers will show their fortitude by resisting the urge.

Now, go do the left thing!

57 Questions about Kent

In my quest to be completely objectively subjective. Or was it completely subjectively objective, I found a few memes I think they’re called to let you know some things about myself and my cohorts here.  I hope Jack Hammer approves.  Hopefully, there is not too much lint in these posts. 

This one is called 57 Questions.

1. What time did you get up this morning?   7:15
2. Diamonds or pearls?  It depends on whether you’re talking about my nose or my eyebrow.
3. What was the last film you saw?  A Discovery Channel series on DVD about a climb on Mt. Everest
4. What is your favorite TV show?   Hannity and Colmes, which I’ve heard is now just Hannity
5. What do you usually have for breakfast?  two eggs and two pieces of whole wheat toast, many times eaten in a tupperware container in commute traffic while driving
6. What is your middle name?  Alan
7. What food do you dislike?  Cooked celery
8. What is your favorite CD at the moment?   A Best of Tchaikovsky CD
9. What kind of car do you drive?  Toyota Sienna
10. Favorite sandwich?  Po Boy
11. Favorite dish on the Thanksgiving table?  Turkey
12. What characteristics do you despise?  Apathy, Ambivalence, Self-centered
13. Favorite item of clothing?  the first thing I put on in the morning
14. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you go?  Sierra Nevadas
15. Favorite brand of clothing?  The kind in wrapping paper
16. Where would you retire to?   A Good Church
17. What was your most recent memorable birthday?  40 sticks out
18. Favorite sport to watch live?  Whatever one my kids are playing
19. Favorite sport to watch on TV?  Football
20. When is your birthday?  April 13
21. Are you a morning person or a night person?  Night
22. What is your shoe size?  13
23. Pets?  No
24. Any new and exciting news you’d like to share with us?  My oldest son is graduating from high school.  I’m training two men to pastor at seminary level.  My parents will be married for 50 years in January.
25. What did you want to be when you were little?  A high school student
26. How are you today?  Joyful
27. What is your favorite candy?   Chocolate
28. What is your favorite flower?  Rose
29. What is a day on the calendar you are looking forward to?  December 21
30. What is your full name?  Kent Alan Brandenburg
31. What are you listening to right now?  Nothing
32. What was the last thing you ate?  Chicken Soup
    
33. Do you wish on stars?  Um, no.
34. If you were a crayon, what color would you be?  Orange
35. How is the weather right now?  Rainy
36. The first person you spoke to on the phone today?  My wife
37. Favorite soft drink?  Cherry Coke
38. Favorite restaurant?  Ruth’s Chris
39. Real hair color?  Brown
40. What was your favorite toy as a child? Wiffle ball
41. Summer or winter?  Summer
42. Hugs or kisses?  Hugs
43. Chocolate or Vanilla?  Vanilla
44. Coffee or tea?  Coffee
45. Do you want your friends to email you back?  Yes
46. When was the last time you cried?  Yesterday morning
47. What is under your bed?  Boxes
48. What did you do last night?  Lord’s Table
49. What are you afraid of?  Ruining everything
50. Salty or sweet?  Sweet
51. How many keys on your key ring?  About 15
52. How many years at your current job?  21
53. Favorite day of the week?  Thursday
54. How many towns have you lived in?  Six
55. Do you make friends easily?  Yes
56. How many people will you send this to?  8.5 billion
57. How many will respond?  Not Enough

Enjoy!

Getting to know me — Jeff Voegtlin

In my quest to be completely objectively subjective. Or was it completely subjectively objective, I found a few memes I think they’re called to let you know some things about myself and my cohorts here.  I hope Jack Hammer approves.  Hopefully, there is not too much lint in these posts. 

This one is called 57 Questions.

1. What time did you get up this morning? 6:40 a.m.
2. Diamonds or pearls? diamonds
3. What was the last film you saw?  Beyond the Gates of Splendor.
4. What is your favorite TV show?  Law & Order
5. What do you usually have for breakfast? One egg, 1/2 cup of granola mixed with 1/2 cup of nonfat yogurt
6. What is your middle name? Daniel
7. What food do you dislike?  seafood
8. What is your favorite CD at the moment? Meditations for Christmas
9. What kind of car do you drive?  Toyota Sienna
10. Favorite sandwich? Double Cheeseburger
11. Favorite dish on the Thanksgiving table?  green bean casserole
12. What characteristics do you despise? know-it-all
13. Favorite item of clothing? Hat
14. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you go? secluded cabin
15. Favorite brand of clothing? Jos. A Bank
16. Where would you retire to? retire?
17. What was your most recent memorable birthday? sorry, can’t remember
18. Favorite sport to watch live? Baseball
19. Favorite sport to watch on TV? Basketball
20. When is your birthday? December 17th
21. Are you a morning person or a night person? Night, sort of
22. What is your shoe size? 10 1/2
23. Pets? Sadie (lab mix) and Wrigley (beagle puppy)
24. Any new and exciting news you’d like to share with us? not normally
25. What did you want to be when you were little? sorry, can’t remember
26. How are you today? Fine, how are you?
27. What is your favorite candy? Reese’s Crunchy Peanut Butter Bar
28. What is your favorite flower? rose
29. What is a day on the calendar you are looking forward to? December 17th (the day after the annual Christmas concert)
30. What is your full name? Jeffrey Daniel Voegtlin
31. What are you listening to right now? Wrigley’s moans in his sleep
32. What was the last thing you ate? Claim Jumper’s Widow Maker Hamburger
33. Do you wish on stars? no
34. If you were a crayon, what color would you be? brown
35. How is the weather right now? COLD
36. The first person you spoke to on the phone today? haven’t done that yet
37. Favorite soft drink? vanilla creme soda
38. Favorite restaurant? Ricobene’s
39. Real hair color? hair?
40. What was your favorite toy as a child? Lincoln Logs
41. Summer or winter? winter
42. Hugs or kisses? hugs
43. Chocolate or Vanilla? vanilla
44. Coffee or tea? coffee
45. Do you want your friends to email you back? Not really, I’m changing this to a blog post instead of an email.
46. When was the last time you cried? a month or so ago
47. What is under your bed? nothing but lint and goose down
48. What did you do last night?  Teacher’s Night Out — had great fellowship
49. What are you afraid of? do I have to tell?
50. Salty or sweet? yes
51. How many keys on your key ring? seven
52. How many years at your current job? fifteen
53. Favorite day of the week? Sunday
54. How many towns have you lived in? one
55. Do you make friends easily? I don’t think so
56. How many people will you send this to? the JackHammer audience
57. How many will respond? probably none

Enjoy!

A Proverb for Fundamentalists

Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. (Proverbs 4:7)

Many have suggested, and I don’t disagree, that a good definition of wisdom is the proper application of God’s Word to each aspect of human life.  Normally, when wisdom is described, it is at the top of a cognitive pyramid which has a foundation of knowledge, then understanding, and finally wisdom.  You must have knowledge before you can comprehend or understand and only after comprehension can you have wisdom.

I have often wondered about this proverb.  Why is it presented in this order?  I propose that it is instruction for fundamentalists.  (As an aside, this part of fundamentalist thinking is not new.)

In my experience, fundamentalists frequently have done a good job of applying God’s Word to each aspect of life.  They taught and displayed wisdom.  But I believe that with all their getting, they neglected understanding.  Now we have a generation of young fundamentalists that have abandoned Scriptural wisdom because their fathers did not give them understanding (maybe they didn’t understand themselves).  It is imperative that we teach knowledge and understanding to our children along with the wisdom (application) we give them.  In the end, they must be able to apply knowledge and understanding to life themselves.

Two Famous Preachers

Many years ago, there was a fiery preacher who garnered quite a following.  His methods were different from his contemporaries, and his message was clearly different also.  As his popularity increased, many began to talk about him.  He was different.  He would only wear certain kinds of clothing.  He would not eat or drink certain foods.  He would not associate with certain types of people.  Some even called him an isolationist.  But no one doubted his abilities.  Some even said that he was the greatest preacher of his time.

Not long after his arrival on the lanscape, another preacher showed up.  He was different also.  He wasn’t like his contemporaries, but he also differed from the first great preacher.  He was not an isolationist and he did eat and drink with all sorts of people.  Many thought that he discredited his own ministry with the company he kept.  But others still followed his teachings.  The first preacher’s crowd was great, but this second man had even more that followed him.

Now I know that it’s a “fundamentalist thing” to look at numbers exclusively, but it’s also evident that God’s hand was upon both preachers’ ministries.  So as a “young fundamentalist,” I wonder, after whom should I pattern my ministry?

Evils and Elections

There is a general sentiment among some fundamentalists that in this election we’ll just have to “hold our nose and vote” or “choose the lesser of two evils.”  I’d like to address those that have chosen NOT to vote for the lesser of two evils.

1. We are not voting for a pastor of our country and the Bible does not give us the qualifications for a president.
2. We are not a Christian nation in the sense that Israel was God’s people.  Our country was founded on biblical principles, but we are not a theocracy.  We are a republic.  We (the people) elect others to represent us in our government.  We should try to get the best men available to do that for us.
3. In the presidential race, there are only two men available to fill the office.  Other names are on the ballots, but one of ONLY TWO will sit in the Oval Office.
4. I’m NOT voting for the “lesser of two evils.”  I’m going to vote for the best man available to represent me.
5. In the end, you are still voting for the lesser of evils!  Only you’re voting for the lesser of six evils.  Even if you thought you were the best candidate, and voted for yourself, you’d be voting for the lesser of many evils.  So, refusing to vote for evil is not an excuse, sorry.

While we cannot separate our Christianity from the public square, we do not act the same in the public square as we do in church.  America is not the church, or the kingdom, or any other religious entity.  So on Tuesday, November 4, 2008, cast your vote as an American.  God put you in this country.  Vote for the best man available to represent you.

Wealth Redistribution

Here is a creative approach to redistribution of wealth as offered in a newspaper… (I don’t know how true this is, but it well illustrates the concept.)

Today on my way to lunch I passed a homeless guy with a sign that read ‘Vote Obama, I need the money.’ I laughed.

Once in the restaurant my server had on a ‘Obama 08′ tie, again I laughed as he had given away his political preference–just imagine the coincidence.

When the bill came I decided not to tip the server and explained to him that I was exploring the Obama redistribution of wealth concept. He stood there in disbelief while I told him that I was going to redistribute his tip to someone who I deemed more in need–the homeless guy outside. The server angrily stormed from my sight.

I went outside, gave the homeless guy $10 and told him to thank the server inside as I’ve decided he could use the money more. The homeless guy was grateful.

At the end of my rather unscientific redistribution experiment I realized the homeless guy was grateful for the money he did not earn, but the waiter was pretty angry that someone else decided to take and give away the money he did earn even though the actual recipient needed the money more.

I guess redistribution of wealth is an easier thing to swallow when it is someone else’s money.