April Read: "Respectable Sins" by Jerry Bridges

If you have never read “Respectable Sins” by Jerry Bridges, it is certainly a must read for all Christians. It is impossible to read that book without feeling like you are being raked over the coals though – so be prepared! Jerry Bridges definitely does some “sanctified meddling,” if you will.

The book confronts the sins that Christians tolerate in their lives to the point that believers don’t even view them as sin any longer. Hence, they become “respectable.” While living our lives trying to serve and glorify God, believers are careful to keep their lives free from sin…at least those big, terrible sins that everyone else in the world is committing – but never us. You know: murder, adultery, and the like. And then we begin to feel pretty good about ourselves, forgetting all the while that we are blindly and shamelessly committing other, more subtle sins (yet no less gross before a holy God). Anxiety, frustration, discontentment, pride, impatience, anger, envy, and irritability are just a few of the “respectable” sins addressed.

The one “respectable” sin which I found most challenging was that of ungodliness. That may seem odd to categorize ungodliness as a subtle, respectable sin. Ungodliness is normally equated with wickedness, and therefore, Christians would most often not consider themselves guilty of such a sin. A Christian acting ungodly? That is exactly why it is a subtle sin.

It is commonly taught that pride is the most foundational of all sins; that when you get to the root of any sin, it is usually found to have pride at its center. But Bridges suggests otherwise. He contends that it is ungodliness – not pride – which is the root of our sin. I agree. Let me explain why. Bridges defined ungodliness as “living one’s everyday life with little or no thought of God, or of God’s will, or of God’s glory, or of one’s dependence on God” (p. 54).  

As you can see, ungodliness can be very simple for anyone – even believers – to commit. This definitely grabbed my attention, and over the last weeks, I have tried to be more conscience of my own ungodliness. I desire to live consciously of living before a holy God all the time, 24/7. Let me tell you: It’s hard. It’s hard to actually do it, and it’s hard to live with the reality of that fact. When we are aware of being constantly in God’s presence, it’s so much harder to live in any type of sin. Oh, by God’s grace, I desire to live a godly life so that I would be free from all of the respectable sins. And as I grow closer to Christ, I hope to see my acceptance of these sins diminishing and my affections for holiness growing.

[I feel like I could keep going – but instead, I’ll just encourage you once again to read this book. Prepare to be challenged.]" 

March Read: "The Cross Centered Life" by C.J. Mahaney

The past few weeks have been a blur. So much has happened. April 11 Lindsay and I packed up all of our earthly possessions and moved from Knoxville, Iowa to Pana, Illinois. God has been so good in going before us and behind us in leading during this time. I am especially thankful that God continues to teach me through the reading of His Word. I have also been continuing my challenge for 2013 to read one book a month that would challenge my thinking and spiritual growth.

During March I read “The Cross Centered Life” by C.J. Mahaney. This book came at just the right time in my life. The last few months I had been asking God to give me a better understanding of the gospel. Well, this book certainly does that! The gospel (or the Good News of Jesus Christ that He died for our sins and rose again) is applicable not only to the lost, but also to the believer every single day! What a glorious thought! I am a believer – saved by the grace of God – but I am by no means perfect. I am still in need of the gospel every day.

I was challenged to think through the ideas of legalism, condemnation, and also living by feelings vs. living by faith. God is so good to confront me in the areas that I so often struggle. How good it is to know that as a Christian I am by no means above the gospel. When I find myself leaning on my own goodness instead of the righteousness of Christ, I must pause and remember that ALL of my sins are paid for by Jesus on the cross. There is nothing that I need do – or can do!

In light of reading this book I now strive by the grace of God to “speak the gospel to myself” every day, reminding myself that “but by the grace of God I go.” I would appreciate your prayers as I continually learn to humble myself before my God and learn to rest completely in the finished work of the cross of Jesus. I also pray that you would learn to live in this grace as well! I invite you to read “The Cross Centered Life” as well and see how God might use it in your life. 

February Read: Who Stole My Church?

I know, I know…it’s almost the middle of March and here I am writing about my read from February. Though it did take me until now to finish my February book I did finish it! And I am going to continue to stay true to my word and see if I can finish another book before March is over.

For February I chose to read the book “Who Stole My Church?” by Gordon MacDonald. The subtitle of the book helps you understand what the book is all about: “What to Do When the Church You Love Tries to Enter the 21^st Century.” This was a very good read that provokes a lot of thinking about how churches change. Wow – that can really be an emotional roller coaster. It seems that everyone is prepared for most things in life to change; all things besides their church. At times it may even feel like someone has stolen your church right from under you!

One of the biggest (yet a totally basic) reminders I got from reading this book was the idea of the possession of the church. Yes, we all say, “That’s my church.” But in reality it doesn’t belong to us. It is Christ’s church. We are His body. Acts 20:28 says, “Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among whom the Holy Spirit has appointed you as overseers, to shepherd the church of God, which He purchased with His own blood” (HCSB). What an incredible reminder! We have been purchased with the most precious of things: the blood of Jesus Christ!

Change can be so very difficult. But maybe next time something doesn’t go your way in church, or if something is going to change even though “we’ve always done it this way,” may we pause and remember that this church is not simply an organization, but a living organism – the body of the crucified and resurrected Lord, purchased with His own shed blood. May we all be prepared to be humble and submissive to the Head of the Church and to our brothers and sisters in Christ as we move forward toward greater maturity in the work of the ministry together for God’s glory.  

January Read: "The Pursuit of Holiness"

I have hit February and am still on track to fulfill my 2013 Resolution! I have read my January book - and God has proven once again that He is a gracious God who is working in my life. I am so excited that He continues to teach me things day to day.


For January I chose to read the book "The Pursuit of Holiness" by Jerry Bridges. Normally we approach the idea of holiness as if it is all about trying to fit into a certain spectrum of rules and regulations to make ourselves look and feel better - as if that is some way to gain approval from God. I was again reminded of the importance of living in the reality of Christ's righteousness. As a believer in Jesus Christ, I do not have to rely on my own good works, but upon the finished work of my Savior on Calvary. No amount of following a set of rules will get me any closer to holiness.

There are three main ideas of holiness that have been particularly challenging to me this month.
#1. Obedience. Holiness is really just obedience in what God has called us to do. We are to be holy because God is holy (1 Peter 1:16). I will be holy when I humbly walk in obedience to what God has clearly laid out in Scripture. I  am so thankful that God has revealed what He expects of us. This obedience also is very closely tied with the need for submission to the Holy Spirit.

#2. Faith. Holiness is all about faith. My obedience/holiness will be tested when I approach an instruction in God's Word. Will I believe that what God says is actually true? Will I then respond in obedience knowing that God is Who He says He is and will do what He says He will do?

#3. Joy. Praise the Lord that He has not made the pursuit of holy daily living a tedious, impossible task. It truly is a joy to walk in holiness. God knows what He is talking about when He calls all believers to lead holy lives. This joy also comes out of love for God. We will obey because we love Him, and we will then have more love flowing from our lives as a reward for obeying.

God is so good! I am thankful that God has called me to be a holy man of God. It is my desire to humbly obey Him. So training for godliness includes a pursuit of holiness. And that is a pursuit that I am committed to taking up. Not only for 2013 - but for a lifetime.

“Therefore, riding yourselves of all moral filth and evil excess, humbly receive the implanted word, which is able to save you. But be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” (James 1:21-22, HCSB)

Recently I have been able to briefly study these verses from James. They end with a call to not simply hear what God’s Word says (though that is obviously an important first step), but to act on it – or else you are sadly deceived. God expects us to do something about what we hear and learn from the Bible. Thankfully, James also lets us know how to prepare ourselves to receive the Word so we can be doers. First, he says to eradicate “moral filth and evil excess.” This calls for purity. Second, James says this requires humility – that is the exact opposite of arrogance and rebellion. This spirit of humility will say, “God, I need you! I can’t live my life without You and Your guidance!” Therefore, when we approach the Bible in purity and humility, we will be prepared to not only be hearers, but also doers of the Word. 

New Year's Resolutions

New Year’s Day 2013 seems like it will be like most other New Year’s. I plan on making the same New Year’s Resolution along with most other Americans. “Losing Weight,” “getting into shape,” “working out more” – whatever you want to call it – I’m signing up for that one too…again.

But that’s not necessarily a bad thing. It’s a great thing to take care of the body God has given us. 1 Timothy 4:8 begins by saying that “…training of the body has a limited benefit…” So physical exercise is beneficial – it’s just limited, meaning it works in this life, but when you cross eternity’s threshold, it doesn’t matter how in or out of shape you are. What is it that is eternally beneficial? Glad you asked. 1 Timothy 4:8 tells us that, too: “…but godliness is beneficial in every way, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.” GODLINESS is what is beneficial not only for eternity, but also today, the here and now.

So this year I have decided to makes TWO New Year’s Resolutions.

1) Get in shape, diet, work out, etc., etc., etc…

2) Train for godliness

How will I accomplish my 2nd resolution? One of the things that I have decided to enhance my walk with God is by committing to read at least one book a month for the purpose of pushing my Christian walk. Now I understand that reading a book will not make me godly in and of itself, but I hope that through the books I read, I will be challenged to grow closer to my God.

So, that what this blog is for. In order to discipline myself in sticking to my New Year’s Resolution, I will endeavor to write my learnings throughout the year here – on this blog. Don’t worry, it won’t be just a bunch of book reports, but hopefully a travelogue, of sorts, in my journey of growing closer to God.