Perspective Adjustment

Tuesdays, as I've said before, are often my 'hard' days. I'm up and out the door by 5:30 am with meetings, planning, discussion, etc. that lasts into the afternoon or evening. What is often difficult about tuesdays is that a lot of the discussion is about church issues and pressures and how they should be addressed and dealt with. The answers and solutions are rarely evident, and the tasks at hand are often overwhelming. What is even more difficult is that we begin the day with an hour of prayer, which is energizing and encouraging; only to have the energy and encouragement seemingly dwarfed by the to do list and the needs pressing in.

What is really the problem with me on tuesdays? What is really the problem with you on your 'tuesday'? Our real problem was made abundantly plain this morning. I lack proper perspective. As I sat fretting about soandso who is upset over suchandsuch or whatsisname who is in conflict with whosamajigger and thingamabob that needs to be delegated to suchandso and how to find the money to pay for that thingamajig- I read an email that made me put down my latte, finish my croissant, and pray. As well, my previous worries seemed a bit petty in comparison to the struggles of God's people, and, really, all people around the globe.

We recently had the privilege of sending Chad and Tiffany Northington as missionaries to the Fulani people Cameroon (Chad is building wells and Tiffany is providing medical care as a nurse). Right now in Cameroon there is a refugee crisis, as well as political and economic upheaval. Chad and Tiffany are separated with Chad stranded in the capital, Yaounde, due to protests and transportation strikes. Chad sent out an email yesterday? two days ago? asking for prayer. He said that he could smell the tear gas from the street protests as he wrote.

God cares about every detail of our lives and there is nothing that escapes his notice or the reach of his love. And so I lift up the struggles of my day and my world to him. But, I remember that I am part of a family and called into a kingdom that reaches beyond the comforts of my living room and the malaise of our affluent and often self absorbed culture. God is gracious to both listen to our concerns and rattle our myopic and small little cages often. Sometimes the power and scope of the truth of his Word puts its grip upon us. Sometimes the tears of a neighbor overshadows our budget problem, or to do list. Or maybe an email from a brother in Christ half way around the world comes into our inbox.

In all of these things, God seeks to remind us that he is sovereign, His purpose is good, this life is fleeting, and His grace is enough.

2 Corinthians 4:-17 So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison.

God's Providence and the New Year

There is unrest all over the world, wars and rumors of wars, poverty, pestilence, and, of course, we might be in economic recession in the coming months here in America (which means that some of us might need to moderate gas guzzling for our second car, clip a coupon, or go for a walk rather than go out to dinner). In all of this we remember that God is sovereign and at work in all things:

Romans 8:28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
Ephesians 1:9-11 . . . in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will.
Proverbs 16:33 The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.

Here is a helpful little article on God's providence by J.I. Packer. God's providence is a bedrock doctrine for the saints as they look ahead to another year.

And, here is one of my favorite hymns by William Cowper.


"Deep in unfathomable mines of never-failing skill, He treasures up His bright designs, and works His sovereign will."

Make Your Resolutions

Here are Jonathan Edwards' famous 70 resolutions.

The first one is worth memorizing and adopting for yourself. It is the theme of Christian Hedonism.

1. Resolved, that I will do whatsoever I think to be most to God's glory, and my own good, profit and pleasure, in the whole of my duration, without any consideration of the time, whether now, or never so many myriad's of ages hence. Resolved to do whatever I think to be my duty and most for the good and advantage of mankind in general. Resolved to do this, whatever difficulties I meet with, how many and how great soever.