WalkerFamilyLife Blog

Stayed home from church this morning trying to kick a cold I picked up while at the Biblical Counseling Training Conference in Lafayette, IN. It was an inspiring and instructional week but after 49 hours of instruction and the 11 hour drive home I was exhausted. I found myself in one of those places where my fatigue caused everything that’s going on in my life to look like an insurmountable obstacle. Ever been there?

So, honestly I was really looking forward to having some quiet hours alone this morning to do business with God. I started by going over some of the key Scriptures we covered at the conference and let them minister to my soul. Then spent some time meditating on Colossians, including a verse that has ministered a lot to me over the past few months. In Col 1:29, Paul speaks of his ministry and says, “For this I toil, struggling with all His energy that He powerfully works within me.” That’s a perspective that I need to be reminded of repeatedly. Our work here is often a struggle and toil, but it is done with energy that is provided by God. Even just now I was reminded to stop and pray for God to provide the energy that I need for each day because otherwise I’ll be overwhelmed.

There are so many exciting things happening at FamilyLife and some days are truly inspiring. Others are just work. That’s what Paul said even his ministry of the gospel was like: toil and struggle. That’s normal. It isn’t all easy just because you’re walking with God.

So what should I do about it? Part of it I’ve already mentioned: realize that it’s normal and ask God for the strength to persevere. But I also think about Jesus’ words to the church of Ephesus that had lost its first love. In Rev 2:4-5 he counsels them about how to reverse that spiritual apathy by saying:

But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.

So what does Jesus tell the Ephesians to do:

1. Remember where you have fallen from
2. Repent
3. Do the works you did at first

I think that’s not only something we need to do when we find ourselves bored with the gospel (God forbid!) but also when the work of the kingdom seems arduous and unpleasant. We need to think back to the times in the past where we had a passion for doing His work and repent of the wrong thinking that has led us away from that point. Then, we need to get busy doing the things that we did back then. Notice that Jesus addresses a lack of love by a call to repentance and action. When the actions are right, the feelings will come.

So pray for me that I will be able to live in this truth. I need it often.

What have you learned during times when God’s work seems like drudgery? Share your comments.

The battle against cancer can be one of the most difficult journeys for a marriage. Unfortunately, the divorce statistics are very high for these couples, yet I just came across this video of a couple who persevered and leaned into their covenant to make it through. Though it’s not part of this video, a Weekend to Remember they attended while he was undergoing treatments was a significant part of their story. We will all face adversity. Will it push you toward your spouse or away from him/her? toward God or away from Him?

Great quote I found on Crossway’s blog. It was taken from Raised with Christ by author Adrian Warnock

The degree to which we neglect the resurrection is also the degree to which we neglect to think about Jesus as he really is, now. Jesus is enthroned in heaven and is reigning inside every believer. His powers are limitless, and he is at liberty to do as he wishes. While on earth he did not fully reveal his glory and divine power. To only think of Jesus as a long-haired, gentle man in a robe and wearing sandals has devastating effects on the church. This perception has permeated the attitudes of many who perceive Jesus as a weak character but a good teacher. The world seems blind to the Bible’s description of the resurrected Jesus, full of power and authority. This description is highly offensive to the world. But to worship Jesus as the artists have portrayed him, instead of as the Son of Man in all his glory, is nothing short of idolatry. (Excerpt from pp 68).

In the midst of all the talk of economic hardship, and I know it’s real, here are a couple of things to balance the negativity.

FamilyLife found itself with the largest December match opportunity in our 33 year history, more than twice any previous match. A group of donors had pledged $2 Million to match donations in December. Well, this email just went out:

GREAT NEWS from FamilyLife!

Dear Friend,

We are thrilled to report that through the generous giving of FamilyLife friends and partners like you, we fulfilled the history-making $2 million Family-to-Family Matching Challenge. Thank you for the part you played in this tremendous effort!

Then, our family had personally asked our donors and friends for help with an $11,000 need and, on December 31st, God provided in His own unique way. In fact, we just learned of the gift that fulfilled the goal yesterday and were once again overwhelmed at God’s kind and unmistakable provision.

Isn’t it just like God to take a time when the world is pulling in the sails to provide in such abundance to His work? Blessed be the Name of the Lord! Never doubt His ability to provide for your needs as well. He is more than able!

Don Whitney has provided us some very helpful questions as you think about 2010. The original can be viewed here: http://biblicalspirituality.org/newyear.html

The beginning of a new year is an ideal time to stop, look up, and get our bearings. To that end, here are some questions to ask prayerfully in the presence of God.

1. What’s one thing you could do this year to increase your enjoyment of God?

2. What’s the most humanly impossible thing you will ask God to do this year?

3. What’s the single most important thing you could do to improve the quality of your family life this year?

4. In which spiritual discipline do you most want to make progress this year, and what will you do about it?

5. What is the single biggest time-waster in your life, and what will you do about it this year?

6. What is the most helpful new way you could strengthen your church?

7. For whose salvation will you pray most fervently this year?

8. What’s the most important way you will, by God’s grace, try to make this year different from last year?

9. What one thing could you do to improve your prayer life this year?

10. What single thing that you plan to do this year will matter most in ten years? In eternity?

When was the last time you were overwhelmed by the power of the Word of God? Watch this video called And God Said: The Voice of Creation. This is a prerecorded version of a presentation that was made live to the Campus Crusade US Staff Conference. Worth the time!

And God Said: The Voice of Creation from On Every Word on Vimeo.

I encourage you to watch this message from Tim Keller at Campus Crusade’s recent US Staff Conference. It was entitled The Gospel and the Poor: A Case for Compassion and it is a powerful word on the various ways that we can join God in reversing the effects of the curse. Very Powerful!!

Tim Keller: The Gospel and the Poor: A Case for Compassion from Here’s Life Inner City on Vimeo.

Illustration by Krieg Barrie, courtesy of World Magazine. All rights reserved

On John Calvin’s 500th Birthday, Kevin DeYoung shares some good thoughts on why John Calvin is still being talked about and how that should affect the way we approach our lives. A pretty short read that’s worth it!

How to Pray by R.A. Torrey

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
Listened to this on the way home from OKC yesterday. Good overview of Scriptural teaching on prayer. Interesting to hear the cultural issues in 1900 that Torrey was concerned about. Torrey was D. A. Moody’s successor.

View all my reviews.

Couldn’t have said it better myself