Early this morning I sat with my CLC brothers talking about stress, motivation of others, as well as ourselves, and the milestones of our lives both highs and lows. One of my brothers called attention to the following quote in a book we are reading together, "What you think means more than anything else in your life. More than what you earn, more than where you live, more than your social position, and more than what anyone else may think about you." That led me to think about thinking. And then I read a little essay by Oswald Chambers called "What to Think About". So, I'm thinking I need to share it with you. I like it when the God does this kind of thing with me.
Chambers writes;
"Never run away with the idea that it does not matter much what we believe or think; it does. What we think and believe, we are; not what we say we think and believe, but what we really do think and believe, we are; there is no divorce at all. To believe, in the sense our Lord used the word, is never an intellectual act but a moral act. The following quotation from Dr. Arnold* of Rugby explains the way fanatics are made, and also points out the incongruity of those Christians who are sanctified and yet show an unconscionable bigotry and narrow-mindedness in their mental outlook:—" I am quite sure that it is a most solemn duty to cultivate our understandings to the uttermost, for I have seen the evil moral consequences of fanaticism to a greater degree than I ever expected to see them realised; and I am satisfied that a neglected intellect is far oftener the cause of mischief to a man than a perverted or over-valued one. Men retain their natural quickness and cleverness while their reason and judgment are allowed to go to ruin, and thus they do work their minds and gain influence, and are pleased at gaining it; but it is the undisciplined mind which they are exercising, instead of one wisely disciplined.
So, I would say with the apostle Paul, "Whatsoever things are true, … think on these things."
You see, as Chambers says, it is more painful to think about these things than to think about what we know, about what is old in our experience, because immediately we begin to think God’s thoughts after Him we have to bring concentration to bear, and that takes time and discipline. When once the mind begins to think, the horizon is continually broadening and widening, there is a general unsettlement, and the danger is to go back to the old confined way and become fanatical and obstinate. This explains why some people who really are God’s children have such an inveterate dislike of study. They do not quite call it the devil, but they come pretty near it. To give time to soak in God’s truth, time to find out how to think along God’s line, appears to them a snare and delusion. All the insubordination and difficulties and upsets come from the people who will not think. “Glean your thinking,” says Paul, and we must do it by will. What are we doing with our brains now that we have entered into the sanctified life? The Holy Spirit energises the will to a complete mastery of the brain; then don’t be a wool-gatherer mentally. If we are saved and sanctified by God’s grace, it is unadulterated mental laziness on our part not to rouse ourselves up to think. It is not a question of the opportunities of learning, but of the determination to be continually renewed in the spirit of our mind.
Recently the following devotional from Oswald Sanders', My Utmost for His Highest was shared in an elder meeting by the chairman and my friend. I thought you might enjoy reading it.
Let us keep to the point My eager desire and hope being that I may never feel ashamed, but that now as ever I may do honour to Christ in my own person by fearless courage. Phil. 1:20. (Moffatt.)
My Utmost for His Highest. “My eager desire and hope being that I may never feel ashamed.” We shall all feel very much ashamed if we do not yield to Jesus on the point He has asked us to yield to Him. Paul says—“My determination is to be my utmost for His Highest.” To get there is a question of will, not of debate nor of reasoning, but a surrender of will, an absolute and irrevocable surrender on that point. An over-weening consideration for ourselves is the thing that keeps us from that decision, though we put it that we are considering others. When we consider what it will cost others if we obey the call of Jesus, we tell God He does not know what our obedience will mean. Keep to the point; He does know. Shut out every other consideration and keep yourself before God for this one thing only—“My Utmost for His Highest.” I am determined to be absolutely and entirely for Him and for Him alone.
My Undeterredness for His Holiness. “Whether that means life or death, no matter!” (v. 21). Paul is determined that nothing shall deter him from doing exactly what God wants. God’s order has to work up to a crisis in our lives because we will not heed the gentler way. He brings us to the place where He asks us to be our utmost for Him, and we begin to debate; then He produces a providential crisis where we have to decide—for or against, and from that point the ‘Great Divide’ begins.
If the crisis has come to you on any line, surrender your will to Him absolutely and irrevocably.
Yesterday I sat quietly in my favorite chair reliving the events of the previous fourteen days. They were days packed with family gatherings and time with friends. Sure they were busy, sometimes too much so, but nevertheless wonderful days. How about you? In the midst of all the activity did you find the joy? As men we often miss so much because we feel like we need to maintain order and stability. Probably like you I found myself defaulting to that protective role at times when I just needed to play - so I did. I got down on the floor and played with electric trains. I fired nerve balls at my grandchildren and even my wife (be careful with that one). I even went caroling with my family and it was great. So, what memories are you enjoying right now? If you have none make some now. Make them and leave them as a legacy to your children and grandchildren. Believe me they will treasure them.
One more thing men, Men's Fraternity starts up again next week. You can choose either Wednesday night beginning January 13 or Friday morning beginning January 15. I promise, it will do all of us good.
Early in the text the following words are written:
Because the sanctity of human life, the dignity of marriage as a union of husband and wife, and the freedom of conscience and religion are foundational principles of justice and the common good, we are compelled by our Christian faith to speak and act in their defense. In this declaration we affirm: 1) the profound, inherent, and equal dignity of every human being as a creature fashioned in the very image of God, possessing inherent rights of equal dignity and life; 2) marriage as a conjugal union of man and woman, ordained by God from the creation, and historically understood by believers and non-believers alike, to be the most basic institution in society and; 3) religious liberty, which is grounded in the character of God, the example of Christ, and the inherent freedom and dignity of human beings created in the divine image.
"The Manhattan Declaration: A Call of Christian Conscience" is perhaps one of the most important documents in contemporary Christianity. I urge you to go to www.manhattandeclaration.org. And, if your conscience should allow, join with me and sign it in, at least, a demonstration of the fundamental principles that serve to protect and define a society.
As a husband, father and grandfather I am deeply concerned for our future as a nation. I do not call for a theocracy. However, I do call for mutual respect of ideology, convictions and religious and moral conviction. That is why the Manhattan Declaration is of vital importance. I am calling for all of us to hold to "whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable" as well as "anything that is excellent or praiseworthy." These are qualities that will give hope and promise to our nation and to each of our lives.
It is always amazing to me how quickly Thanksgiving sneaks up on me and then even faster is gone. As I grow older the holiday has changed. There are empty places at the table that make me long for days gone by, but then there are new places filled by chattering grandchildren that cause me to smile at all that is yet to be. Maybe those same emotions collided inside of you as well. I can only hope that as you sat down at your Thanksgiving table your heart was full of gratitude for the goodness of God in little or in much. Let the emotions of the day linger as you get back at it.
And to that end it might take a little more effort to crank back up in the office, the assembly line or wherever your work takes you, but go ahead and throw yourself back into your work knowing that the God of heaven and earth desires that your work and mine reflect our relationship with Him. In our work we find dignity, purpose, fulfillment and satisfaction. Let's not allow the curse of sin rob us of what God has given.
Jim
p. s. One other thing; Men's Fraternity meets this week. Don't forget. See you either Wednesday evening or early in the morning Friday
Yes, I know, it has been awhile since I wrote on the blog. Time gets away doesn't it? I even lost a day making my way to India. Right now I am sitting in an upstairs room thinking about what to say to pastors from all over South India. Be assured that I have planned messages, but I need to think beyond something canned. After all these men have traveled a significant distance and are miles away from home just like me. They miss their families and the churches they serve just like me. So maybe the best thing to do is to fulfill my responsibilities of teaching about the church and then talk about what it means to be men in the midst of such a thing as the church. I will talk about you and the strength we get from each other. I will tell them of our work for the sake of Christ. I will share specifically about some of you so they can know that there are men just like them who, although, they speak a different language and are miles away they are indeed linked arm in arm with you. Think of that and know that it is true. I will tell the men of south India the same.
Amazing! Even before I sat down it was evident that men had come expectant. Maybe it was for little more than seventy minutes of drawing away to reflect on or examine God's goodness. Perhaps there was something about the chance to be with other men to worship and be challenged to pursue God with a renewed passion. In the final analysis the reason that brought us together was not important. What was important is that we were together. There is something extremely powerful when men come together like that.
Dave Bergen peeled back the veneer that all of us wear like so much armor and showed us his soul. He didn't linger in the awfulness of sin only long enough so that we could acknowledge we have been there as well. His words led us to his, and our, deliverer, Jesus. And we stayed in His presence. aren't you glad you were there?
With you I will look to stand strong in the right place at the right time. I was glad to be reminded of my direction. Thanks Joe. I'll pay attention. I'll fix my eyes on Jesus and stand strong with all of you.
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