The Picture of the Gospel in the Picture of Dorian Gray

During my recent time off from work I finally finished reading The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde.  This classic was a relatively short read, that kept me wanting more.  When I finished the read, I could not help but see clear gospel implications in the book. 

SPOILER ALERT!  The story goes that a young man, Dorian Gray, is a subject of a splendid painting, painted by a friend, Basil Hallward.  The picture is true to the real Dorian; charming, young, handsome, and innocent.  While admiring the painting, Dorian secretly wishes that he will never grow ugly, but that his ugliness and age will be transferred to the painting.  His wish comes true.  As Dorian grows older he does not age, yet the picture does.  However, the picture not only grows older, but it takes on the ugliness of Dorian’s soul.  The picture becomes hideous as Dorian becomes increasingly worldly, selfish, and vain.  Dorian is struck with conviction about the ugliness of his inner soul, yet he continues to become increasingly evil.  His transgressions include breaking a young girls heart, mistreatment of town’s people, murder, and conspiracy to cover a murder.  Dorian finally seeks to destroy the painting and start over, but upon destroying the painting, he destroys himself.  In the end, the painting is left unblemished, and he is found dead as a decrepit and revolting old man. 

The book points out clearly the sin that lurks in all of us.  However, unlike Dorian Gray, we are not born innocent and become progressively evil over time.  We are born in sin.  We are already ugly, revolting, and evil at heart.  We are completely hideous in the sight of God (Isaiah 64:6). 

Like Dorian Gray’s picture, we desperately need something to take away the effects of our sin.  The Gospel is the solution to our sin problem, upon receiving Jesus as Lord, our sins are transferred to Him (1 Peter 3:18).  Jesus has already paid the penalty for sin.  He took on the ugliness and pain caused by sin, although He was in fact sinless.  Unlike Dorian Gray’s painting, the transfer of our sin to Jesus is irreversible and permanent.  The good news of the gospel is that God offers redemption from the horridness of our sin.

Thank God for the gospel.

Is Tim Tebow controlled miraculously by God?

As the Denver Broncos continue to win week after week, in on-the-edge-of-your-seat fashion, people have started to ask how Tim Tebow does it.  There has always been discussion about whether or not God is intervening to make Tim Tebow so good at winning late, but never so much as there was this past Sunday when the Broncos defeated the Chicago Bears in miraculous fashion.  So, is God doing it?  Is He the reason Tim Tebow is so good?

The answer is yes and no.  To be clear, every good and perfect gift comes from above (James 1:17).  God gives all good things, including talent such as the ability to play football.  It is because of God’s blessing and grace that Tebow is what he is.

However, the answer is also no.  To say that God is controlling Tim Tebow and giving him success miraculously takes away from the hard work and dedication that Tebow has put in since he was a young boy.  I loved to play football when I was young.  For me, that consisted of throwing the ball around with my brother and cousins in our back yard.  For Tim Tebow, it meant tying rubber tubes to his door and working out before he even hit puberty.  When I was in college, we would gather in the Josephus Bowl at Southern Seminary and play football in the snow.  When Tim Tebow was in college, he was the strongest player on the most successful college football team in the country.

If I were to suit up for the Denver Broncos and lead the team to seven wins in eight games, and multiple fourth quarter and over-time comebacks, that would be a miracle.  For Tim Tebow, this is not an Angels in the Outfield (or End-zone) moment.  This is God’s grace and blessing extending to a young man who has spent the majority of his life training, working, sweating, and planning for this moment.  Could Tebow do it without God?  Absolutely not!  However, don’t look for an angelic glow around Tim Tebow anytime soon.

The Sacrifice is Worth the Reward

Yesterday morning, I left the warmth of my bed at 4:45 AM, went without breakfast, drove 17 minutes, walked out in the 23 degree weather, and sat in a tree.  Why would I put myself through this?  I am after a reward.  My reward is a whitetail deer.  In case you wonder how cold 23 degrees is, just know that my bottle of water froze while I was sitting outside.

The first time I went after a whitetail deer, I harvested one in 50 degree weather, in the afternoon, with less than an hour of waiting.  A friend of mine said to me, “Don’t think that it will always be this easy, because it won’t.”  He was correct.  Hunting deer requires sacrifice.  For those that enjoy it, it’s well worth the sacrifice. 

It seems that most things in life that are worth much, also require sacrifice.  A healthy retirement requires years of saving money.  A successful marriage requires thinking of your spouse’s needs before your own.  Most successful companies started off with the founder contributing huge amounts of time and money to get it off the ground. 

In the same way, a life that brings glory to God requires sacrifice.  We must not think of ourselves, but others.  We cannot long for the pleasures of this world, but the pleasures of God.

 When I finally harvest a deer, and think back on what led to it, I do not think of the sacrifice, but the reward.  So also with our spiritual walk.  We do not regret giving up the pleasures of the flesh.  We do not wish that we had thought of ourselves more.  After all, our greatest pleasure is found in treasuring the things of God.

Don’t be scared of Halloween

Too many Christians are scared of the “H Word.” They think that if they say the word “Halloween” they are a bad Christian. The word itself is sloppily evolved from the phrase “All Hallows Eve.” Referring to the night before All Hallows (Saints) Day, celebrated by the Catholic church. There is nothing inherently wrong with that term.

So, what’s the big deal?

There are several reasons people have concerns about Halloween. Some Christians like to look for any reason to get upset about something. Halloween is just another chance for them to let the world know how much they despise many things. Others don’t appreciate the vandalism caused to their property, the display of scantily clad costumed women, or the excessive partying that goes on during Halloween. There are still other Christians that are concerned about a real celebration of evil. Some of these concerns are valid.

In case you’re wondering where my family stands, I’m glad to share. I have three pumpkins on my front porch. My son is dressing as Woody from Toy Story, and he is going to get a bunch of candy! I do not have any spiders, bats, witches, or skeletons in my house. We love the good that comes with this time of year like candy, pumpkins, hayrides, and community fellowship. At the same time, we also flee from immodesty, mistreatment of others, and any hint of evil on October 31st, in addition to every other day of the year.

I’d like to see more Christians not make such a big deal about letting everyone know how much we hate everything. Don’t freak out, everything will be ok. Celebrate good, flee evil. Love God and your neighbor. Seek holiness for yourself and your family. Let others see the light of Jesus in you.

My Pride

Today I was thinking about a ministry that I am familiar with.  The thoughts that came to the forefront of my mind centered around the idea that this ministry is not reaching the heights that they are capable of reaching.  I thought about all the factors that led me to believe that this ministry had great potential, and they were many. I also thought about my reasons for why they are not achieving more.  My mind then took me to fantasizing about leading that ministry.  If only I were in charge, then I would lead that ministry to achieve its full potential.  I thought to myself, “I know the problems, and I have solutions for them.  The people involved will respond to me.  This ministry just needs some good, solid, godly leadership.”  It was at that moment that I caught myself.  Satan had led me to believe that I was the answer to all of this ministry’s problems.  My pride had taken over.  I was the savior.  By God’s grace, the Holy Spirit directed my mind and heart back to Him.  This ministry needs to turn back to God and the leading of His Holy Spirit.  They don’t need me, they need Him.  I hate my pride.  I love the grace of God.

Ten Tips for Leading a Football Devotion

I’ve had the privilege to be the team chaplain for two different high school football teams in the last five years. Part of my role is to deliver a devotion to the team every week. Below are ten tips I keep in mind as I prepare each week.

1. Keep it short. The players and the coaches have enough to focus on without you going 30 minutes for a devotion.
2. Focus on the current week’s game. Do not focus on last week or next week. Keep their minds on the task at hand.
3. Know the team. Know what game they have that week. Read about them in the paper. Try to remember their names.
4. Keep it simple. Focus on a passage that will help share an illustration for football and life. Don’t introduce the Beast from the book of Revelation.
5. Get to know the coaches. Are they churched? What’s their favorite snack? Do they like you at all?
6. Treat them like men. Most of these men are just a few years away from adulthood. Don’t treat them like boys. Treat them like men and teach them how to become men.
7. Be early. You never know if the coaches may change the practice or pre-game schedule. Be early and ready.
8. Don’t be there for you. If you don’t get to speak one week, don’t cry about it. Offer to help put away equipment or help serve a pre-game meal.
9. Focus on the intangibles. The coaches can teach blocking and tackling much better than you can. Focus on reminded the team about hard work, dedication, character, team work, etc.
10. Open the door for the gospel. You will probably not be able to share the full out gospel. Introduce the gospel to them through biblical stories. Be ready for an opportunity to share if someone asks.

A reminder from my farmer’s tan

I’m working on a nice farmer’s tan right now (more accurately described as a farmer’s burn).  Yesterday, I spent about four hours of my day off working in the current hot and humid climate of the Ohio Valley.  I came away with filthy clothes and three very pronounced white to red rings around my neck and both arms.  As I reflected upon the work that I did and how tired I was, I was reminded of God’s command for men to work.  As a result of the Fall, God’s plan is that men should work for their livelihood.  The necessities of life do not just fall into our laps.

God does not desire for us to sit on our hands and hope something happens.  God is not pleased with the 25 year old male sitting in his parents’ basement playing video games.  God desires for men to sweat.  God desires for men to push their limits.  God desires for men to get tired.

Make no mistake, God is sovereign.  Every good and perfect things comes from Him.  The results of our labor are left to Him.  Nevertheless, God desires that we labor.  So men, go ahead and work on that farmer’s tan.

What I Learned in Cleveland

I was recently in Cleveland for a mission trip with our high school students.  We partnered with the Gateway Network (a church planting network of three churches in the Cleveland area).  Here are some things that I learned (or was reminded of):

1. Cleveland is not near as bad of a town as everyone makes out.  I enjoyed myself in Cleveland and look forward to going again someday.

2. Church planting is hard work.  To see the challenges that these church planters/pastors face is an eye opener and inspiration for me.  Alex Ennes, Dan Ghramm, and Zach Weihrauch are heroes of mine.

3. If you challenge students, they will step up.  Our students served the Lord faithfully and diligently.  I am so proud of them.

4. Godly adult leaders are more precious than gold.  Our trip could not have taken place without the leadership of our adults.

5. The gospel cannot be received unless it is heard.  There are lost people on every continent.  We have much work to do.

6. We have no reason to wait for God to tell us to go with the gospel.  God has clearly told us to go.  We must have reason in order not to go.

Proud to be Baptist. Not proud of our reputation.

I recently tweeted that I was proud to a Baptist, but I was not proud of the reputation that we have developed over the years.  Perhaps some clarification is needed on what I was thinking.  I recently had some interaction with some Christian brothers of mine, several of whom are non-Baptists.  They shared their thoughts and comments about Baptists they have known over the years.  They were all impressions that I had heard before, but it added to my frustration with what people think about Baptists.

Over the years, we Baptists have developed a reputation more for what we are against, than what we are in favor of.  We are known as those that think drinking is a sin.  We are known as those that boycotted Disney World.  We are known as those whose kids are not allowed to read Harry Potter.  We are known as those that are staunchly right wing.  We are known as those that have deacons smoking in our parking lots.  We are known as those who oppress their wives.  We have been known as racists.

My hope and prayer is that we will be known for something different in the coming years.  My prayer is that when people think of Baptist they will think that they are the ones that take the Bible seriously.  I hope we will be known as those that love the world.  I yearn to be known as one who is sacrificial with his time, resources, and energy.  I pray that all Baptists everywhere will be known as those who are whole-heartendly devoted to King Jesus and to accomplishing His purposes.

Don’t dress your little girls like tramps

Here is a great article from CNN.com about the way some parents allow their little girls to dress.

credit: www.challies.com