Miss, Do You Know How Fast You Were Going (Toward Grace)?

“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. - Matthew 5:17-18

So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets. - Matthew 7:12

Who would have guessed that the background check on ol' Matt Magill would have taken a couple of months?  This past weekend I finally received clearance (Clarance!) to go on a "ride along" with a friend and Texas Highway Patrolman.   

The trooper told me that the most "action" was on Saturday nights patrolling for drunk drivers after midnight.   I rode with him from 10pm - 2am and it was a thrilling, eye-opening experience.    After I was briefed a bit on the "do's and don't's", we perched just over a hill and waited for "lead foot" drivers, "swervers" or those missing tail lights, headlights, etc. to fly by.

The first time he flipped the surprisingly bright lights on and calmly said, "we got one" before stepping down on the gas pedal I got a rush of adrenaline that I could never have expected.  

I was (finally!) on the side of the law now and felt completely safe running down those violators, cleaning up the streets and serving justice.   I felt like the caped crusader all the while sipping my Diet Coke in the passenger seat and pretending I wasn't just like most of the people we stopped.

It increases my paranoia like looking into a mirror and seeing a police car.

- David Crosby, Almost Cut My Hair

Most of us have felt the soul-crushing, impending doom of a those flashing lights in our rear view mirror.  Knowing that I was on the other end of just such doom gave me a strange mixed feeling of power coupled with compassion for the poor folks we stopped that night (probably 15 stops in all).  It helped me to understand the awesome responsibility that these troopers have.

Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more. - Luke 12:48

The responsibility to both distribute and, at times, withhold the full force of the law is incumbent upon officers of the law.  What a perfect model our Savior is.  Full of discernment and wisdom Jesus always correctly recognized both repentant helplessness in lawbreakers and the reckless manipulative abuse of the law by some.

In Luke 7 a pharisee puts on a dinner for Jesus.  A "woman of the night" comes and brings an Alabaster jar full of perfume.   The woman wept just behind Christ and began to pour out the perfume on his feet.  The pharisee was incensed and doubted Christ's identity thinking to himself, "a real prophet would know what kind of woman (sinner) this was" (not knowing Jesus knew even his thoughts).

At this Jesus began to teach Peter and the pharisee that indeed it was this pharisee who was confused and had missed his opportunity to anoint Jesus' head with oil because of his pride.  He couldn't see who Jesus was because his focus was on his own righteousness and understanding of the law.   He was blinded to Jesus' power for focusing on himself and his surroundings.

Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.  But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”- Matthew 14:29-30

Juxtaposing the "self-centered and self-righteous" pharisee with the "helpless, hopeless" sinner woman who knew of her brokenness and thus, her need for Jesus' restorative unconditional love and grace Jesus goes on to explain that her love for Him was evidence that she had already been forgiven by Him. 

I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little. - Luke 47:7

The Patrolman told me at one point Saturday night that instead of a ticket he was going to give only a warning to one (clearly guilty) driver.    

For some reason he had decided to show her some compassion and grace saying, "people have been pretty good to me in my life when I didn't deserve it.  I think I'll be good to her tonight".   I was struck by his humility as he (like the pharisee) knew of her transgression but (unlike the pharisee and like Jesus) he saw fit to give her the forgiveness that she did not deserve.

All jobs are gifts from God and as such carry a responsibility of righteous stewardship.   The trooper described how sometimes just what people need to wake them up from their irresponsible, dangerous lifestyles is a DWI and a night in jail.   But other times people need Grace. *   I pray God's wisdom for him in the days to come.  

Knowing the relief of having received grace from a trooper before, I was thankful Saturday night, even on an old dark Texas highway, for the opportunity to see grace at work again.

Grace and Peace,
Matt

(* not to say here that drunk drivers are ever given a pass.  In this instance their incarceration is actually an act of grace to those whose lives are so clearly endangered by such moronic behavior......)




This Week... 

* Tyler Men's Gathering - 7am, Wednesday AM - Kings Cross Chapter 10

   @ 2 American Center, 5th Floor (Ritcheson Law Firm)

* The Magills @ The Moores Store - 8pm-11pm, Friday Night July 1st - Ben Wheeler, TX 

Next Week...   

* Men's Lunch @ Dakota's in Tyler, TX - Mondays @ 12pm - Keller's Kings Cross - Chapter 11

 

TO SUPPORT B3 MINISTRIES CLICK HERE

The First and True Duke

 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him! - Matthew 7:11

Father's Day had me thinking of some of my favorite childhood memories with my father.   One thing stands out for some reason.  We had this over sized (and I mean big!) pillow that lay in the middle of our living room where my brothers and I would curl up with my Dad and watch our favorite movie, John Wayne's The Cowboys or, and especially, The Dukes of Hazzard television series whenever it was on.

Now let's forget about the 2006 remake movie, the television show had some merit if not always the greatest acting or imaginative story lines.   There was a winsome innocence to TDOH wherein a viewer could escape to a simpler time and though the lines between good and evil were slightly blurred (Ex. The Dukes weren't always angels and Boss Hog was somehow lovable), yet in the end the message was clear: good wins.

Bo and Luke Duke seemed to play with the law; they were after all, a 70's version of Robin Hood, "straightening the curves".    They were right to view the law of Hazzard County as corrupt.   Thus, they lived by their gut and a folksy, country wisdom that came from the likes of their Uncle Jesse and their mechanic, Crazy Cooter (Did I just type Crazy Cooter?).     

Boss Hog, on the other hand, wielded (and suffered under) his own absolute power and was the stereo-typical CEO of and consequently, the chief beneficiary of Hazzard's corrupt power system; He always dressed in the white of his presumed spotless self-righteousness.  Together with hard-headed sheriff Roscoe P. Coltrane, Boss Hog was always out to "get them Duke boys".   But out of every sticky situation Bo and Luke always seemed to pull one over on the law.

Someday the mountain might get him but the law never will.
- Waylon Jennings, Good Ol' Boys

Mid-way through nearly every episode Bo and Luke would land in jail and as evidenced by narrator Waylon Jennings' smooth whiskey voice ("now how these Duke boys gonna get out of this mess?") the situation seemed hopeless.  Falsely accused of misbehavior (or rightly locked up for just being "good old boys") they always found themselves up against the wall of The Law.

There was a fierce freedom in The Dukes of Hazzard that resonated deeply with many viewers - a triumph of good will over injustice.  When carried too far every analogy breaks down but as a Christian I know a freedom that always trumps the sting of death and melts the doubt that leads to destruction.   Faith in Christ alone brings about the redemption and restoration of man - and ultimately, leads the believer into an ever deeper, ever firmer faith in power of The Gospel (read: not what I do but what God's done in Christ on my behalf).   The Gospel turns the worst situations upside down and always frees man from the condemnation the law has brought.

But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. - Ephesians 2:4-5

The Christian life lived to the glory of God is smelling salt to a world so seduced by the likes of materialism and humanism that it is dead to the Spirit of the one true God, blind to His natural revelation of Himself (in nature) and deaf to His special revelation of Himself (in the Bible).

For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. - 1st Cor. 1:18

I heard recently that Christians are to etch in pencil what one day God will paint with indelible ink.   That is make known the glory of The Gospel through our words and deeds.  But so often we forget just how full of His love, grace, peace, compassion and power we are.

It sometimes seems like the well is empty; like there is no more left to give.  Yet this is precisely the time when the obstacle of self-reliance is removed allowing the grace of God to finally flow freely.   His inexhaustible love for us can be likened to an eternal flame (a common symbol for The Holy Spirit) from which one day (like the phoenix) His church and new kingdom will rise.

When Christ, though He was totally innocent, went up against the wall of God's perfect Law on our behalf. He didn't rely on family, worldly wisdom, cunning trickery or eloquent words to save Himself from God's wrath.   Instead He gave us what we don't deserve (peace with God) by taking on what we did deserve (shame, scorn, pain and separation from God).

This is where the Dukes analogy breaks down.   A duke is defined as a member of the nobility, historically of highest rank holding the highest hereditary title.   Christ was the spotless, perfect son of God and thus, the only true Duke...ever.  By totally fulfilling the Law in life He became the perfect sacrificial atonement in His death.

Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son. - John 3:18

The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. - Rom 8:16

For a little while, as a boy, I enjoyed great intimacy with my Father on that big pillow watching The Dukes overcome Hazzard's worldly, corrupt law.   This Father's Day I can, by God's grace, behold those memories as the "foretaste of Glory divine" that they were.   Because of Jesus' work I can call God Daddy (Abba Father) eternally and He can call me His son.  And, along with all the Saints in glory, He'll wrap me in His arms of comfort as we recall the story of Jesus' miraculous rescue of us (in the midst of our inability to keep God's perfect law) again and again and again.....

Blessings,
Matt


This Week... 

* Tyler Men's Gathering - 7am, Wednesday AM - Kings Cross Chapter 9

   @ 2 American Center, 5th Floor (Ritcheson Law Firm)

Next Week...   

* Men's Lunch @ Dakota's in Tyler, TX - Mondays @ 12pm - Keller's Kings Cross - Chapter 10

* The Magills @ The Moores Store - 8pm-11pm, Friday Night July 1st - Ben Wheeler, TX

TO SUPPORT B3 MINISTRIES CLICK HERE

Onward Christian Campers!

But the place which you have selected for your camp, though never so rough and grim, begins at once to have its attractions, and becomes a very center of civilization to you: "Home is home, be it never so homely." - Henry David Thoreau

Megan and I don't really like to "rough it".   For us an ideal vacation typically would involve us close to a big body of water, listening to the waves crash and reading a good book while taking in some rays before an afternoon nap back at the hotel.  Suffice to say camping is not our cup of tea!

Recently we were invited to Pine Cove Family Camp at Crier Creek near Colombia, TX but it didn't sound ideal for our family.   South Texas heat and humidity and two kids in diapers for a week seemed like it might result in two (or four) unhappy campers.   Still the offer was there and with adventurous spirits we decided a week away might do us some good.  We had no idea what was in store for our little family.

Day 1 was a hard travel day and then we were up most of the night when the girls didn't sleep well.   Thus, day 2 was the perfect storm of child crankiness and parental frustration.   That night Megan and I were considering faking an illness and heading back north to the our comfortable routine and the modern luxuries of central heat and air and separate rooms for each of our children.

But the counselors showed up on day 3 to watch the girls while we went on a couples morning trail ride complete with a cowboy breakfast.  After the ride we looked across the table at the other exhausted but grateful couples and began to relax into what would be an unforgettable week.   I found myself sitting on the bed later that night (around 10pm!) with my worn-out girls and nothing else on my mind but gratitude for a hard, full, memorable day.  We'd been plucked from our regular routine and were now completely off schedule.  Yet once we'd surrendered to the discomfort, God began to show us why He'd brought us there.

We later confessed to the other parents that the week at family camp had allowed us to let go of trying to be great parents in our flesh and enjoy the chaos for a little while trusting that God is indeed the leader of our home...not Megan and me.

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. - 2nd Cor. 12:19

Control in the midst of struggle is an illusion in a world that is chock-full of spiritual dimensions (Eph. 6:12) that are beyond our comprehension.   Yet we labor under the ever-oppressive yoke of decreasing discomfort and minimizing detours in hopes of reaching our set goals or perceived needs in a timely fashion.    Often times what seems like a disruptive curse can actually be God trying to get our attention (read: a blessing!) so that we might learn to hear His voice in the midst of uncertainty or suffering.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. - Rom. 8:28

Did you notice that "in all things" bit?   There is no part of our life that God is not completely in control (i.e. sovereign).   Thus even when we believe Him to be distant, He is not.  He's incessantly working on our behalf.

 

For instance, we learned throughout the week that while many assume God was absent during the intertestamental period, in working through the lives of Pagans to create the perfect circumstances for Jesus Christ to enter the world He was anything but silent.   

In 323 BC Hellenization began and ancient Greek culture spread rapidly through many people groups.  Greek became the universal language which would eventually allow The Gospel of Jesus Christ to be far more accessible and consequently, spread faster.  (Read: God at work in the silence!)

In reaction to Antiochus' issuing a decree that forbade Jewish religious practice and calling them to worship Greek Gods in 167 BC, The Maccabean Revolt occurred reasserting the Jewish religion, expanding the boundaries of the land of Israel and leading many Jews to re-examine their hearts and seek God's holiness once again.   Without doubt this revived obedience readied the hearts of many to receive John The Baptist's prophecy and his eventual declaration of The Messiah's presence among them. (Read: God again at work in the silence!)

If God is not silent even when He seems silent why should we ever worry?  Even when prophecy ceased in 400 BC God never ceased unfurling His majestic plan for the salvation of mankind.   When Christians suffer they can be sure that they're merely being tenderized to the hear the voice of the God who is there.  This leads to a greater hope in His ultimate faithfulness to us.

Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. - Rom. 5:3-4

When David wrote:

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me - Psalm 23:4

..... it's clear that to him death is only a shadow.  Yet death is a looming reality for all those who are not comforted by God's rod and staff.  However for those, like David, whom God has kept "the apple of His eye" (Psalm 17:8) and "take comfort in the shadow of His wings" (read: the outstretched arms of Christ on the cross)  death is merely an illusion.

If we are able to boast with the apostle, saying, O hell, where is thy victory? O death, where is thy sting? it is because by the Spirit of Christ promised to the elect, we live no longer, but Christ lives in us; and we are by the same Spirit seated among those who are in heaven, so that for us the world is no more, even while our conversation is in it; but we are content in all things, whether country, place, condition, clothing, meat, and all such things. -  John Calvin

Last week at Family Camp we learned a blessed lesson in becoming content.   Taking long walks in hot weather, enduring tired and embarrassingly cranky children and less sleep than we're used to were all blessings in disguise.   Once we became content our hearts became grateful and we began to enjoy our time with an entirely fresh perspective.   We might have missed all that had we had a less trying week.    We'll be back next year for more....it was a difficult, trans-formative, eye-opening blast! 

Blessings,

Matt

P.S. The blog above may not have seemed like an advertisement for camp but it actually is!   Megan and I could talk and sing for hours about our time at Pine Cove Family Camp.  We are now converts....we get it!  Check it out even if you don't like camping!

This Week... 

* Tyler Men's Gathering - 7am, Wednesday AM - Kings Cross Chapter 7 

   @ 2 American Center, 5th Floor (Ritcheson Law Firm)

* The Magills @ The Forge Bistro - 7pm-10pm, Friday Night - Ben Wheeler, TX 
 

* The Magills - Lindsey Pond Benefit Concert in Bergfeld Park - 11am-1pm, Saturday

   Visit www.BenefitThePonds.com for tickets!
 

Next Week...

Men's Lunch @ Dakota's in Tyler, TX - Mondays @ 12pm - Keller's Kings Cross - Chapter 8

TO SUPPORT B3 MINISTRIES CLICK HERE

Grab The Life Preserver

It’s starting to get "nice and hot" here in East Texas and the only thing to do is head to the lake.  We did so last weekend and had the time of our life.  In a move that would have sent more prudent parents into cardiac arrest we actually put Maggie on the tube as her Grandfather (Papa) pulled us behind the boat on Lake Palestine.

Our precocious two-and-a-half year old shouted over and over, "this is awesome! I love it Daddy!"  The muscles in my face were throbbing; I couldn't have had a bigger smile.  That is until we hit an unexpected bump as I was trying to reposition and both of us flew off the tube and into the middle of the lake.

Megan told me later that she couldn't believe the way Maggie skipped across the water.  I came up and began swimming as hard as I ever have to get to my little girl.  I could see her struggling to catch her breath and grasp what had just happened.  She was absolutely terrified.

Forcing a smile to let her know everything was OK I repeatedly kissed her as I thanked God for life jackets and questioned the original wisdom of putting her out on the tube!

Yesterday I was reflecting on the past days events and it occurred to me I would never have swam in any direction but towards my struggling child in the midst of her suffering.  I could never have turned away from her.  Yet that is exactly what our heavenly Father did in turning away from Jesus as His Son gasped for air and gave up His life in complete obedience to His Father’s will.

From the sixth hour until the ninth hour darkness came over all the land.

 – Matthew 27:45

The Father had left Christ alone to suffer that we might never be without Him in the midst of our suffering.  In isolation like no one has ever known Jesus, who was one with God, must have experienced a total existential fracture on Golgotha.

No longer was He full of the total peace He'd so perfectly displayed throughout the duration of His ministry; it’s possible that Jesus was without even the peace that His obedience would eventually produce God's desired end.  No longer does Jesus call on the intimacy of His “Father” as He does throughout the Gospel but instead refers to Him as “My God”….

And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, cring,  "Eli,Eli lema sabacthani?",  that is,  "My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?"

 - Matthew 27:46

In Jewish tradition when a sin-atonement was laid upon the alter, the sacrifice actually became the sin itself.   The sin was transferred from the people and  to the sin offering.  Indeed this is what took place upon the cross of Calvary.  

 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. – 2^nd Cor. 5:21

As Adam was banished from the Garden of Eden because of his sin, Jesus (The New Adam, the first born among many brethren (Rom 8:29), was rejected by God as he hung upon the cross for our sin.  This was the ultimate sacrifice: to be rejected by a piece of Himself, to become fragmented for our sake that we might be made whole in Him.

But just before giving up his human life, Jesus uttered the three grandest, most impactful words anyone will ever hear saying, “it is finished”.   This declaration brings light to the darkest corner of the world, hope to the hopeless and imputes righteousness to every sinner.

Though watching Maggie struggle in the water last weekend (for all of seven seconds!) was truly awful, it was, in reality, minor in comparison to watching her struggle with her sin nature as we will surely continue to see her do for years to come. 

So as she grows we pray that she and her sister will indeed grasp the knowledge of Christ’s work on their behalf and be transformed by His Spirit.   For He is our only true life preserver and, having conquered death, He is life itself.

Blessings,
Matt


This Week and Next:

* Tyler Men's Gathering - 7am Wednesday AM - Kings Cross Chapter 6 @ 2 American Center, 5th Floor (Ritcheson Law Firm)

* Saturday May 28th - The Magills w/ The In-Laws and Outlaws @  Chandler Cityfest 4pm-7pm

* Tyler Men's Gathering - off for Memorial Day!


* The Magills head to Camp Pine Cove at Crier Creek in Colombia, TX

TO SUPPORT B3 MINISTRIES CLICK HERE

Rental Car Love Of The World

We go on living in the world and using the things of the world - but we can build no future with them, for the Cross has shattered all our hope with them.
- Watchman Nee, Love Not The World

It's funny how temptation starts.   Yesterday we took our family car to the shop to have some paint and body work done after a minor accident with an ATV/Mule a few weeks back :).   The insurance company provided us a rental car for 4 of 5 days while our car is the shop.   So in the meantime the car you see below is ours....but not really.

We have to keep reminding ourselves that though we can pretend (as we tell Maggie) it's ours, it's not.   It drives so smooth, it's a beautiful color and you don't even need a key - You just press a button and it starts!   Our garage seems to sparkle like a show room floor with this car sitting in it!

Over the next few days the temptation to "get acquainted" with this rental car will be great so I'm trying to resist even driving it;  I don't want to pour gas on the fire.  Our car is perfectly fine, in fact, it meets our needs exceedingly well - Megan and I have thanked God for it on numerous occasions.

Yet like a mirage it sits calling me to enjoy it, believe that I need it and buy into the idea that having it will quench a thirst I heretofore was unaware I even had. 

Indeed there is an ever-present temptation to buy into all that the world offers.   Christ knows that our only hope of not being overcome by our love of the world is loving Him more (1st John 4:4).  One of Jesus' many conversations provides insight as to how easily we can deceive ourselves and how grace alone can make sense of our confused hearts. 

A certain ruler asked him, "Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" 

"Why do you call me good?" Jesus answered. "No one is good -- except God alone.  You know the commandments: 'Do not commit adultery, do not murder, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother.'"- Luke 18:18-20

 
The man sought Jesus' answer to the only question that really matters.  Jesus' response struck down the young man's justification by works (i.e. doing) worldview when He said, "why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone".   He then goes on to list the laws that must be kept.

But the man missed the first part of the answer Jesus gave mistakenly believing he'd kept the law "since he was a boy" and His response to Jesus' following command reveals the true nature of his heart.

When Jesus heard this, he said to him, "You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."

When he heard this, he became very sad, because he was a man of great wealth.
- Luke 18 22-23

In this world the equation is simple: Money = Power.   The man had considered his identity in this world more valuable than his standing in the next.   He loved wealth more than God.   In so doing he had broken the first commandment (Do not have any other gods before me. - Ex. 20:3) and what's worse, he was completely self-deceived; He was unaware that he was worshiping at the alter of self in striving to maintain his wealth and power.

Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. - 1st John 2:15

    

But the man's idolatry was not lost on Jesus who offered the first pill in a prescription for health: Repentance (i.e. letting go of his old life, his old love, his old worldview).

For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. 

- Matt. 16:26

                                                                                                           

The emptiness that letting go of his power would have brought the young ruler could have only been supplanted by Christ's power in the man's heart and Jesus knew it.

There was no space for Christ as long as the man's heart was full of the love of money (power).   Christ had essentially asked for a room in 'the inn of the man's heart" but was rejected once again.

And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.”
- Luke 9:58

So he made his decision and it was a poor one.  The rich young ruler's bondage continued and thus, he walked away a sad slave and not a glad man freed by God's grace.    

This town ain't big enough for the both of us and it's not   me that's going to leave.  

- Sparks, 1974 

Letting Christ's richness fill our hearts is the only choice that pays eternal dividends and draws us into a life free of the love of money and power that twists hearts and relationships spreading only and always destruction.

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace. 

- Hel­en H. Lem­mel

This is why, though we have already been captured by His finished work on the cross, we seek Christ, that in so doing He will loose the world's grip on our hearts that are so often prone to roam.   

Blessings,

Matt

This Week and Next:

* Tyler Men's Gathering - 7am Wednesday AM - Kings Cross Chapter 5
    2 American Center, 5th Floor (Ritcheson Law Firm)

* The Magills - Saturday May 21st - 7:30pm-11pm - The Freeman's Backyard Concert Series in South Tyler.   Shoot me an email if you're interested (mpmagill@gmail.com)

* Tyler Men's Gathering - 12pm Monday @ Dakota's - Kings Cross Chapter 6
    5377 S. Broadway (back room on the left)

* Saturday May 28th - The Magills w/ The In-Laws and Outlaws @ Chandler Cityfest 4pm-7pm

TO SUPPORT B3 MINISTRIES CLICK HERE

Dreaming of The Super Bowl

World English Dictionary

Self-Justification - n - the act or instance of justifying or providing excuses for one's behavior

(WARNING: THE FOLLOWING BLOG IS PERHAPS A BIT UN-ORTHODOX.  CONSIDER YOURSELF FOREWARNED.  THERE'S A SLIGHTLY PERSONAL/CONFESSIONAL/TESTIMONIAL TONE HEREIN.)

I've been resting better lately and dreaming a lot.  I know that God has dealt with my sin, but my dream last night revealed to me that God isn't through with my flesh yet.

The dream seemed to begin in an open field but as it materialized it appeared to be more like an abandoned junkyard with a dusty, dirt-covered open space in the middle.   I had a football in my hand when a conversation with five young men began.  

They told me to hike the ball shouting, "let's play".  I was confused and had only one question for them.  

"In all my days I have never seen a Super Bowl played in a junk yard.  I'm the quarterback and this is The Super Bowl right?"  

The other boys seemed puzzled.  "I'll play," I said, "but this seems very strange.  Where are the cameras?"

I instantly woke up.   A half smile on my face and rolled over in bed.   Every dream's hero is the dreamer, but it's clear that though I'm not an athlete (and can hardly throw a football spiral),  I'm hardwired to seek the center of attention.  To be justified through applause, adulation or merely capturing someone's attention.

I've got confidence, God is gonna see me through.
No matter what the case may be I know He's gonna fix it for me. 

- Andrae Crouch & The Disciples, I've Got Confidence

 

Confidence is a good thing when placed in Him who gives us every good gift and drives the circumstances in our life to bring about His desired ends.    Yet I grew up using confidence in self as a defense mechanism to mask deep insecurities and confusion about my true purpose in life.    This was pride masking fear.....
 

Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. - Prov. 16:18

My "self-confidence" kept me from hearing the rebuke of others, hearing the voice of reason and ultimately, hearing the voice of God.  This led to foolish living.   But unbeknownst to me God was always in control....

 

being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. - Phil. 1:6

I'm now certain of this: confidence in self leads to the futility of self-justification.  How does the man who is full of self-confidence deal with failure?  He must ignore it, make excuses or blame others;  it's just too painfully embarassing to turn back.  So the self-justification intensifies.

When the curtain is pulled back on our inevitable failures or natural weaknesses we are exposed.   How often do people take deeper cover under the false shade of pride hiding from what is the truth about themselves?   We can never justify ourselves with our hard work, success or relational domination of others.  But consider some of the ways people try and, in so doing, create a living hell for themselves and those around them.  (examples not necessary - watch the evening news or take a look at your family!)

Paul explained to the Philippians that of all Jews he had the most to be self-confident about.....

If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more:  circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless. - Phil. 3:5-6

Paul was all in.  A chief persecutor of the early church he actually gave consent to the stoning of Steven (Acts 7:58).  He'd gone so far in his effort to justify himself through keeping the law that to turn back would have been naturally impossible if not for the grace of Christ Jesus made plain to Paul.   

 

God's grace in Jesus revealed that all Paul's efforts were, by comparison, garbage.   Now he could rest in Christ (read: relationship) and stop the "work for God" (read: religion) that was ironically keeping his heart so hard.  Finding both forgiveness and mercy Paul's identity was completely changed....

 

But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ  and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.  - Phil. 3:7-9 

Turning from (repenting of) my propensity to justify myself through my work (ministry, song-writing, performing etc.) is a daily discipline.  Old habits die hard.  But die they must and in turning from them I continually find Him who waits patiently for me and continues to shower me with the grace that makes it easier and easier to turn to Him again and again.

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. 

- Gal. 2:20

 

Blessings,

Matt

This Week and Next:

* Tyler Men's Gathering - 7am Wednesday AM - Kings Cross Chapter 4
    2 American Center, 5th Floor (Ritcheson Law Firm)

* The Magills - Friday May 13th - The Moore's Store, Ben Wheeler, TX - 7pm-10pm

* Tyler Men's Gathering - 12pm Monday @ Dakota's - Kings Cross Chapter 5
    5377 S. Broadway (back room on the left)

TO SUPPORT B3 MINISTRIES CLICK HERE

T-Ball and The Law

Our condition is so desperate that it is not enough for God to forgive us.  He had to unzip us and get inside us or we would not be able to do what He has called us to do. 

- Paul David Tripp, Instruments in The Redeemer's Hands

"It's a nightmare!  I can't wait for the season to end",  my friend, a former NCAA baseball player and father of three, told me recently while relating his deep frustration with coaching his 4-year-old son's t-ball team.

"They're just not ready.  A 4-year-old cannot compute and play under all the rules in the game of baseball.   They must run only one way, in one direction, to one base and those fielding the ball have to throw only one direction in order to out the runner remembering to touch the bag after catching the ball.  It's too much!"

He went on to describe the kids' apathy that eventually comes from suffering so many rules when they just want to "play ball".  He told me that all those playing the field resort to day dreaming, using their mitts as masks or just picking their noses.

"Soccer", he says, "now there's a game a 4-year-old can understand - just kick the ball towards a goal. The only thing to remember is which goal is yours. Endless fun and no stress. I'm coaching soccer from now on!"

And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. - Matthew 18:3

It's not hard to imagine the inner confusion and chaos that so many rules bring to young minds just trying to have fun.   The Law has the same stifling effect on the minds of believers just trying to live in Him - even though God has called us His children (John 1:12-13).  The Law's undeniably wonderful primary use is to drive us to God's forgiveness made manifest in the cross of Christ.  

The law was added so that the trespass might increase. 
But where sin increased, grace increased all the more.
- Rom. 5:20

So often, however, we chooses to live under the weight of a burden of shame and guilt that we are unable to bear. The Law reminds me of a highway trooper's glasses wherein one can see his own reflection and consequently is brought face to face with the guilty party - himself.

Jesus has come and fulfilled the law that we might be set free from the devastating effects it can have on our hearts and minds.   Paul wrote to the Romans that for those who are in Christ "there is now no condemnation" (Rom. 8:1).

For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father. - Rom:8:1 

Becoming like children, entering the kingdom of heaven not on our merit but on Christ's.  This is what frees us to joyfully play and express His redeeming, bondage-breaking power.  Those who are "heavy laden and burdened" (read: anyone who has truly felt the impact of God's Law)  need the rest that Christ alone offers (Matt 11:28).

The knowledge of the love we have been shown by God frees us from the weight of unmeetable expectation (Law) and allows us to respond to Him in true love and with the true love that has been so graciously shown to us (Grace).

We love because he first loved us. - 1st John 4:19

Grace experienced creates in us an eagerness to serve, love and pass on that which has been given to us - Grace, Peace and Truth.   Transformed by His grace, we can joyfully and confidently say, "put me in coach.  I'm ready to play!"

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 

- 1st Peter 1:3-5

Blessings,
matt




This Week and Next:

* Tyler Men's Gathering - 7am Wednesday AM - Kings Cross Chapter 3
    2 American Center, 5th Floor (Ritcheson Law Firm)


* The Magills - Mayor's Annual Prayer Breakfast - 7am - Thursday Morning
   Harvey Convention Center

* Tyler Men's Gathering - 12pm Monday @ Dakota's - Kings Cross Chapter 4
    5377 S. Broadway (back room on the left)


* Friday May 13th - The Magills at The Moore's Store, Ben Wheeler, TX - 7pm showtime

TO SUPPORT B3 MINISTRIES CLICK HERE