Do not despise your Christian upbringing
February 9, 2010
I found this reminder incredibly helpful this morning as I read it. Psalm 71 contains these words,
For you have been my hope, O Sovereign LORD,
my confidence since my youth.(v5)From birth I have relied on you;
you brought me forth from my mother’s womb.
I will ever praise you. (v6)Since my youth, O God, you have taught me,
and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds. (v17)(Scripture taken from the New International Version)
There is a common feeling that many Christians can identify with – wondering if it wouldn’t have been cooler, more exciting or even more obviously glorifying to God if we’d been a bit more rebellious before coming to Christ. Reflecting on that question, and these verses, Don Carson comments,
The most thoughtful of those who are converted later in life wish they had not wasted so many of their early years. Now that they have found the pearl of great price, their only regret is that they did not find it sooner.
More importantly, those who are reared in godly Christian homes are steeped in Scripture from their youth. There is plenty in scripture and in personal experience to disclose to them the perversity of their own hearts; they do not need to be sociopaths to discover what depravity means.
They will be sufficiently ashamed of the sins they have committed, despite their backgrounds, that instead of wishing that they could have had a worse background (!), they sometimes hang their head in shame that they have done so little with their advantages, and frankly recognize that apart from the grace of God, there is no crime and sin to which they could not sink.
It is best, by far, to be grateful for a godly heritage and to petition God himself for grace that will see you through old age.
D.A. Carson, For the Love of God (Leicester: IVP, 1998), entry for May 18 [I'm working at my own pace!]
Nepal Video Round-up
February 8, 2010
Finally I have got round to posting the last few episodes of the brilliant Nepal trip from back in October. These brought back some great memories of our time out there. Enjoy episodes 9 and 10.
Invictus
February 4, 2010
Looking forward to the release of Invictus. Here’s Matt Dawson chatting to Francois Pienaar and Matt Damon about the film and what it’s like to play and be played by each other.
Who is this guy?
January 29, 2010
Guy Dupuy of the MK Lions showing some serious dunking skills here at the recent BBL Cup main event. He is renowned as the best amateur dunker in the world and would easily give the NBA big guns a run for their money in the upcoming All-Star break.
A Slovakian in Dundee
December 11, 2009
It appears I’m in a bit of a funny videos mood at the moment. This is great stuff from BBC Scotland’s Jim Spence as he interviews Slovakian goalkeeper Dusan Pernis, new signing for Dundee United. I would have given up long before Jim does!
Nepal 2009 Episode 8
December 10, 2009
Time for some more Nepal action. Getting towards the end now – not necessarily of the trip, but nearer to the point where the battery on my camera runs out! This is the one where we trek up Poonhill at 4:30am to enjoy the most spectacular sunrise I have ever seen. Check it out.
This is hilarious!
December 8, 2009
Hymns ancient not modern
December 8, 2009
Enjoying reading Worship by the Book at the moment. Like I was saying the other day, Carson’s introduction on the nature of ‘all-of-life’ and ‘corporate’ worship is worth the price of the book. Mark Ashton, one of the contributors, draws attention to a specially adapted version of an old hymn penned by Peter Baker (not that Peter Baker) highlighting the treasuring of older hymns and musical styles above the new and the modern.
I found this both amusing and depressing in equal measure, leaving me thinking that there is a great onus on the modern hymn/songwriter to not be guilty of these mere caricatures without due reason to be:
Dear Lord and Father of mankind,
Forgive our foolish ways;
For most of us, when asked our mind,
Admit we still most pleasure find
In hymns of ancient days,
In hymns of ancient days.
The simple lyrics, for a start,
Of many a modern song,
Are far too trite to touch the heart;
Enshrine no poetry, nor art;
And go on much too long,
And go on much too long.
O, for a rest from jollity,
And syncopated praise!
What happened to tranquility?
The silence of eternity
Is hard to hear these days,
Is hard to hear these days.
Send thy deep hush subduing all
Those happy claps that drown
The tender whisper of thy call;
Triumphalism is not all,
For sometimes we feel down,
For sometimes we feel down.
Drop thy still dews of quietness
Till all our strummings cease;
Take from our souls the strain and stress
Of always having to be blessed:
Give us a bit of peace,
Give us a bit of peace.
Breathe through the beats of praise guitar
Thy coolness and thy balm;
Let dumb be dumb, bring back the lyre,
Enough of earthquake, wind and fire,
Let’s hear it for some calm,
Let’s hear it for some calm.
Peter Baker, quoted in Carson, D.A. ed., Worship by the Book. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2002, 92.
I needed to hear this
December 7, 2009
Click below for the original video from the Village Church blog:
The family tree stops here
December 7, 2009
We were looking yesterday in church at the first chapter in the New Testament – Matthew 1. This opening chapter of Matthew’s good news account famously contains Jesus’s family tree, his genealogy. The way that Matthew has structured this family history of Jesus, along with the less-than-perfect ancestors who pop up along the way, shows us several key things about Jesus’ identity and his mission:
Jesus is the true Son of David – the true heir to David’s throne. Jesus is a King with all authority, demanding our allegiance.
Jesus is the great descendant of Abraham – through him all the nations are blessed with salvation.
Jesus is so named because he came to save his people from their sins – which is their greatest need.
Jesus came from a dysfunctional family – his family tree is one of glory and of shame. Jesus is not removed from the experiences or realities of sinful people living in a rebellious world.
Jesus is God with us.
Jesus’ conception shows us that God rescues his people supernaturally and that we can’t save ourselves.
Jesus signals a new beginning in God’s relationship with humanity. Jesus is the start of a new creation. He takes us forward to a new start in him.
One thing that struck me that I hadn’t really thought of before was the fact that it is VERY important that Jesus’ family tree stops at him, i.e. that Jesus has no descendants. The idea of Jesus having secret children (normally with Mary Magdalene) and therefore a continuing family tree has been popularised by books such as The Jesus Scroll and The DaVinci Code, even though no credible scholarship really supports this hypothesis.
It is very important that Jesus was the last of his line from a theological point of view. The Bible as a whole looks forward to, describes, demonstrates and explains the fact that Jesus is the central figure in God’s story of rescuing a people for himself – of saving them from their sins.
The writer to the Hebrews makes this very clear throughout that particular epistle, drawing out great truths about Jesus right from the start of the letter,
In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word…
Hebrews 1:1-3 (NIV)
Jesus is the last word from God concerning salvation. That’s part of the reason for him having no descendants. Salvation history is bound up in him. He is the unique Son of God and Son of Man. His family tree stops with him. We are compelled to come and worship the one true saviour of humanity. We must belong to Jesus – the way, the truth and the life.
And who can speak of his descendants?
Isaiah 53:8 (NIV)
With thanks to Alex for bringing us this clear, Christ-exalting sermon on Matthew 1.
