10 Thoughts From My Week

An Interesting Poll, Not Butting In, the Best Disciplines, and More.

Oct 27, 2023

1. Perspective From Tim Keller

“Many times people think if God has called you to something, he's promising you success. He might be calling you to fail to prepare you for something else through the failure.” — Tim Keller

2. Our Stories are Included in the Great Story!

“Why, to think of it, we’re in the same tale still! It’s going on. Don’t the great tales never end?” Said Sam Gamgee.

“No, they never end as tales,” said Frodo. “But the people in them come, and go when their parts end.”

3. Remaking the Old Mistakes About Jesus

This week I had two different conversations in which the return of Jesus was mentioned. In both of them the person I was speaking with mentioned how Jesus would come back and deal with unbelievers violently.

I agree that Jesus will come and bring justice, but I disagree with the means they suggested… and I know of the scriptures that suggest violence, I just think we’re misunderstanding them. I'm preparing an article on this subject; for now, suffice it to say that this line of thinking makes the same mistake that was made when Jesus came the first time. Many expecting a conquering king, and they got one, but were disappointed by his methods of warfare.

He will certainly bring justice to perfection, but it will still be true of him that “a bruised reed he will not break, and a faintly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice” (Isaiah 42:3). Stay tuned.

4. Israel Is Giving Hamas What It Wants

Listen to this short podcast episode by Ezra Klein

5. A Spiritual Season

There is something spiritually instructive about the changing of the seasons. It’s death and new life, but it happens so beautifully. This is a picture of a tree in front of my house. A good death… until Spring!

6. The Most Necessary Disciplines

Of all the disciplines for the spiritual life two are indispensable for our times: solitude and community. We desperately need time alone, away from all attention-grabbing stimuli and noise (sometimes even church noise), so that we can rediscover that God is always there. From this solitude we need to learn how to really be with people as bearers of the image of the God we’ve been with in solitude.

7. Escape From Reality

There are so many acceptable drugs one can use to escape from reality: social media, alcohol, procrastination, work, sports, eating, to name a few. This week a friend and colleague prayed that God would be my escape. I haven’t stopped thinking about it. I pray the same for you. Thank you, Rob U.

8. On Not Coming to the Rescue

Last Friday I exercised so much self-control. I was sitting next to some guys in the coffee shop and “I couldn’t help but overhear what they were saying from where I was eavesdropping.” (10 points if you know which show this line came from).

As I listened to one of them explain biblical concepts to the other, I wrestled with the temptation to jump in. You wouldn’t believe how many “well actually’s” were on the tip of my tongue; nevertheless, the Spirit wrought self-control in me that day.

Near the end I saw that something better was happening amidst the insufficient (to me) answers; a relationship was forming. I’m glad I didn’t butt in and ruin it.

9. Belonging Precedes Believing

The above reminded me of a time Jesus said to the Pharisees in, “But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep.” Or, Meshach’s paraphrase, “You don’t believe because you don’t belong” (John 10:26).

One of the reason I think churches struggle is because many emphasize right belief at the very outset (you must profess certain things before you’re a member). Meanwhile people are yearning to be a part of something, to belong. Orthodoxy is important, but I believe it comes with the territory; beliefs, in many cases, are caught.

10. An Interesting Question

I saw a simple poll on YouTube with an interesting question: Would you rather go back in time or into the future? Of course, pastorally, I want to know why, but I’ll settle with knowing what you would choose. If you want to add why, please leave a comment.