Blog shift

I like to write; admittedly, I'm not very good at it. But, I still try and blogging is one way in which I can "practice" at it.

Most of my blogging these days is done at http://www.cbcwallace.org/blog.html

Soon I hope, I will be blogging a bit more at http://www.davidebuckley.com/

That means, for the two family members who might check this blog once a year, you'll have a few places to roll your eyes, groan, or otherwise tire very quickly at my sad writing attempts (though, you'll hopefully be helped by any quotes, links, videos, etc. I may post).

10 Things To Remember When Your Child Is Disobedient

These come from http://www.gracelaced.com/2009/11/24/10-things-to-remember-when-your-child-is-disobedient/

Here are 10 Things I had to remind myself today when the job of correcting my children felt especially difficult…

1. You disobey the Lord…and He is the perfect Father.

2. His kindness leads us to repentance.

3. God disciplines those He loves.

4. Your child’s disobedience does not measure your value any more than his obedience showcases your achievement.

5. Your child’s disobedience teaches you dependence on God.

6. And sometimes it’s more than dependence He’s after, it’s complete desperation for Him.

7. Your child is clearly a sinner, and needs to hear the truth of the Gospel, and see it lived out through you.

8. Times of correction serve to remind, or establish within your child, his own sense of need for a Savior.

9. It’s not good behavior you really desire…you want his heart.

10. Your child is a person, not a project.

Concepts for Children

I found these helpful.

They come from Jim Elliff.

They are important concepts that we should implant into our children. If they get these, they will be helped much.

1. You learn best when you ENJOY learning.
2. Everyone knows something better than you.
3. Anything can be mastered in an hour a day, everyday.
4. An hour focused doesn't need re-doing.
5. Learning new words makes all learning better.
6. Teachers like sincere questions.
7. God can take away both your knowledge & your brain, so always be humble & appreciative.

God's grace on display

There are low points in everyone's job - discouragement, frustration, apathy. It is certainly true of my vocation - being a pastor.

Charles Simeon (1759-1836) was a pastor and a grand display of the grace of God in the life of a man. His life story has been a strong encouragement to me during low times.

Today is his 250th birthday (as is recognized here and here). You can read or listen to a good biography of him here.

I love how he pastored. Far from perfect, he did have his faults. Yet, I have learned much from him and have been greatly encouraged by his example in ministering at the same church for 54 years.

He, a strong Calvinist, had an interesting encounter with John Wesley, a staunch Arminian. I love his gracious approach as well as his focus on unity on what is ultimate. Here's the record of that meeting as recorded by Simeon:

Sir, I understand that you are called an Arminian; and I have been sometimes called a Calvinist; and therefore I suppose we are to draw daggers. But before I consent to begin the combat, with your permission I will ask you a few questions. Pray, Sir, do you feel yourself a depraved creature, so depraved that you would never have thought of turning to God, if God had not first put it into your heart?

Yes, I do indeed.

And do you utterly despair of recommending yourself to God by anything you can do; and look for salvation solely through the blood and righteousness of Christ?

Yes, solely through Christ.

But, Sir, supposing you were at first saved by Christ, are you not somehow or other to save yourself afterwards by your own works?

No, I must be saved by Christ from first to last.

Allowing, then, that you were first turned by the grace of God, are you not in some way or other to keep yourself by your own power?

No.

What then, are you to be upheld every hour and every moment by God, as much as an infant in its mother's arms?

Yes, altogether.

And is all your hope in the grace and mercy of God to preserve you unto His heavenly kingdom?

Yes, I have no hope but in Him.

Then, Sir, with your leave I will put up my dagger again; for this is all my Calvinism; this is my election my justification by faith, my final perseverance: it is in substance all that I hold, and as I hold it; and therefore, if you please, instead of searching out terms and phrases to be a ground of contention between us, we will cordially unite in those things where in we agree. (Moule, 79ff.)

William Carey

Great post today by Justin Taylor on William Carey.

Today is his (William Carey's) 284th birthday. He is called the "father of modern missions".

Taylor pointed to some facts John Piper shared many years ago on William Carey:
- For the first two years in India, Carey received no mail
- During his first seven years, there were no converts
- When he arrived, the British press said 'papists' had arrived instead of 'baptists'
- After nineteen years of labor a fire destroyed his precious manuscripts of a polyglot dictionary, a Sikh and Telugu grammar and ten versions of the Bible
- he lost two wives to death
- he never went home - for 41 years

From Piper:
What kept him going? Incredible faith in the sovereign goodness of God.

When I left England, my hope of India's conversion was very strong; but amongst so many obstacles, it would die, unless upheld by God. Well, I have God, and His Word is true. Though the superstitions of the heathen were a thousand times stronger than they are, the example of the Europeans a thousand times worse; though I were deserted by all and persecuted by all, yet my faith, fixed on that sure Word, would rise about all obstacles and overcome every trial. God's cause will triumph.

When he saw the smoldering fire that destroyed his work, tears filled his eyes and he said,

In one short evening the labours of years are consumed. How unsearchable are the ways of God! . . . The Lord has laid me low that I may look more simply to him.

Morning prayer

Here is a great, short prayer that I have slowly worked through this morning.

It comes from Francis Chan's book, Crazy Love.

Jesus,

I need to give myself up.

I am not strong enough to love You and walk with you on my own. I can't do it, and I need You.

I need You deeply and desperately.

I believe You are worth it, that You are better than anything else I could have in this life or the next.

I want You.

And when I don't, I want to want You.

Be all in me.

Take all of me.

Have Your way with me.

(Free audiobook Crazy Love for the month of July here)

Second Saturday

Good words from Ray Ortlund:

If we would stop treating Sunday as a second Saturday, one more day to run to Home Depot, one more day for the kids' soccer games, if we would rediscover Sunday as The Lord's Day, focusing on him for one day each week, what would be the immediate impact between today and one year from today?

By one year from today, we will have spent 52 whole days given over to Jesus. Seven and a half weeks of paid vacation with Jesus.

He's a good King. Maybe we should put him first in our weekly schedules.