What Not to Wear

If you have a wife or teen/young adult daughters like I do, you have probably seen this program. The show begins with a woman, wearing her favorite clothes (which are out of date or worse), seeing nothing wrong with her clothes or appearance, and totally oblivious to what others think. Then, she walks into a room surrounded by mirrors and bright lights, exposing every detail of her appearance, good or bad (mostly bad). Suddenly, two fashion consultants, Stacy and Clinton, walk in and give their caustic critique of the woman’s clothing. Such is the typical opening of the cable television program What Not to Wear. The woman eventually realizes her bad fashion, the old clothes are taken away, and an entirely new and complimentary wardrobe is provided completely free. All is well.

Dr. Philip Ryken, current President of Wheaton College (IL) and former pastor of the Tenth Presbyterian Church of Philadelphia PA, says that the show What Not to Wear is like a modern parable of salvation. We are like the woman wearing what not to wear, clothed in our sinful nature. When we are confronted with the light of the gospel and God’s holiness, we are fully exposed for what we are. In spite of our sinful, hopeless condition, God takes the initiative and acts to take away our iniquity and gives us the “new clothes” of His righteousness, entirely by His grace.

Similarly, famous British Pastor Charles H. Spurgeon (1834-1892) describes how God’s transforming grace clothes the believer in  righteousness:

"Christ has delivered us from the power of the serpent who opened our eyes and told us we were naked, by covering us from head to foot with a righteousness that adorns and protects us so that we are comfortable in heart and beautiful in the sight of God and are no more ashamed." (Spiritual Warfare in the Believer’s Life)

For Dr. Ryken’s entire chapel message on “What Not To Wear” (one of the best I have heard on God’s gift of transforming grace), click on the link below:

http://www.wheaton.edu/WETN/All-Media/Chapel/Undergraduate/101020Ryken?lightbox=true

Dare to Be A Sinner

Dietrich Bonhoeffer (1906-1945) was a German Theologian, Pastor, and martyr. In his book “Life Together,” he explains why Christian Community is important for many reasons, including for Christian spiritual growth. Bonhoeffer notes that religious or pious people are “shocked” when a sinner is discovered in their midst, and do not permit sinners in their fellowship. What happens as a result is the sin of the pious is hidden, resulting in their remaining alone in their sin, living in lies and hypocrisy. The absurd thing about this is that the Bible says we are all sinners, so the fact that someone is a sinner shouldn’t come to anyone’s great surprise. How and why should we, as sinners, come to God? Bonhoeffer explains:

"You are a sinner; a great, desperate sinner; now come as the sinner that you are, to the God who loves you. He wants you as you are; He does not want anything from you, a sacrifice, a work; He wants you alone. My son, give me thine heart (Prov. 23:26). God has come to you to save the sinner. Be glad! This message is liberation through truth. You can hide nothing from God. The mask you wear before men will do you no good before Him. He wants to see you as you are, He wants to be gracious to you. You do not have to go on lying to yourself and your brothers, as if you were without sin; you can dare to be a sinner.“

The solution, according to Bonhoeffer, is do not worry about what others think; come directly to the God that is full of grace, who freely forgives.

quote from Life Together, 1954 Harper & Row, pg 111

Her Blood Cries Out: Casey Anthony, Caylee, and the Justice of God

Caylee Anthony

At the link below is the best commentary I have read on this very sad story:

http://www.patheos.com/community/philosophicalfragments/2011/07/07/her-blood-cries-out-casey-anthony-caylee-and-the-justice-of-god/

The Joy of Forgiveness



Last month, my wife Debbie & I had the opportunity to go away for a few days to the Gatlinburg/Pidgeon Forge area of Tennessee. We stayed away from the touristy places, off the main roads at a wonderful bed & breakfast called Blue Mountain Mist Country Inn. The inn is run by a very nice Christian couple, Norman & Sarah Ball, who have been innkeepers there for many years. You can check out their resort at this link:

http://bluemountainmist.com/


One of the nice things about the resort for me was sitting on the front porch in the early morning, enjoying a good cup of coffee, and doing my devotions while taking in the peaceful, wonderful view of nature all around. Below is a sample of the view.

While enjoying the surroundings, my devotions were reading and meditating on Psalms 32, a Psalm of David. The Psalm is divided into sections; where the Psalmist describes the following:

Verses 1-2:    Describes the blessing of being completely forgiven of sin by the Lord.
Verses 3-4:    Describes life wasting away prior to confession/repentance.
Verse 5:        Describes confession of sin to God.
Verses 6-7:    Speaking to God and encourages others to pray and know the peace of God, with a warning not to wait too long.
Verses 8-11:   Speaks instruction and encouragement to others about the joy of being forgiven.

The Psalmist's conclusion is that only true happiness and peace are found in the forgiveness and joy of the Lord.

Below is Psalm 32 from the English Standard Version Bible. Enjoy:

1  Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven,
   whose sin is covered.
2  Blessed is the man against whom the LORD counts no iniquity,
   and in whose spirit there is no deceit.
3  For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away
   through my groaning all day long.
4  For day and night your hand was heavy upon me;
   my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer.
                         Selah

5  I acknowledged my sin to you,
   and I did not cover my iniquity;
   I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,"
   and you forgave the iniquity of my sin.
                         Selah

6  Therefore let everyone who is godly
   offer prayer to you at a time when you may be found;
   surely in the rush of great waters,
   they shall not reach him.
7  You are a hiding place for me;
   you preserve me from trouble;
   you surround me with shouts of deliverance.
                         Selah

8  I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
   I will counsel you with my eye upon you.
9  Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding,
   which must be curbed with bit and bridle,
   or it will not stay near you.
10 Many are the sorrows of the wicked,
   but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the LORD.
11 Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, O righteous,
   and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!