For conscience sake..

If you set out to read the Bible in a year you'll find that 1-2 Samuel and 1-2 Kings is followed by a somewhat repetitive story in 1-2 Chronicles.  Like the Gospels there are times when these stories are telling the same story but giving slightly different details.  One such occurrence takes place as Rehoboam ascends to the throne in 2 Chronicles 12.  If you remember Rehoboam was Solomon's son and Solomon had ended his rule poorly by worshipping other gods.  The consequence God says is that the kingdom would be split in two with most of the nation no longer following God's choice for them with David's descendants as their kings, but now will be ruled by another (1 Kings 11:9-13).  There in 1 Kings the picture seems pretty bleak, saying that none but the tribe of Judah stayed and was ruled by Rehoboam (David's grandson).  In 1 Chronicles the details are a bit different as the text says that Judah and Benjamin stayed, but it goes on and states that the Levites migrated to Judah along with all "who set their hearts on seeking the Lord God of Israel," (2 Chronicles 11:16).   

I have often wondered what God would have wanted His followers to do who lived in other parts of Israel at that time?  What was the solution or the right choice for the faithful to honor God and shine as a light for the world around them.  What we see in Chronicles is that many of the faithful worshippers of the LORD in Israel defected and moved to Judah.  How could they not, I mean their culture was caving all around them.  Their worship, which had always taken place in Jerusalem was now restricted, a new false religion was setup by the state and they were the minority.  Now mind you this took place around 922 B.C.  But this is where these books compliment one another so brilliantly!  You see in 1 Kings 19 around 70 years after the division of the kingdom Elijah is in Israel trying to proclaim the Word of God to a nation that has long since moved away.  Elijah is deeply discouraged and depressed and lonely.  God proclaims a series of messages to him to encourage him, one of which states, "I will leave 7,000 in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal."  How were there 7,000 in Israel if they all fled to Judah?  

The reality is that some of the faithful left, perhaps the majority, but others chose to stay.  Why?  Why in the face of persecution and an increasingly pagan society would they have stayed?  It seems God led them to stay to remain salt and light in that fallen nation.  So which group was right, those who left or those who stayed?  Both of them.  Both of them were guided by their conscience and their faith in the Lord and it led them to make different decisions about the same situation.  

As I have grown older I have found this principle so helpful.  There are a variety of different choices we must make about topics that are not specifically addressed in Scripture.  Questions about education, politics, and diet are being thrown around and yet you find faithful believers on different sides.  Some home school while others choose public school.  Some are voting while others will not.  Too often we as individuals will make decisions and assume everyone else in the same situation would make the same choice we did.  When they don't, we immediately move to judgment and condemnation.  The reality is that in these decisions where God does not specifically say what His people are to do, our conscience is to guide us.  Here's where it get's tricky, my conscience is different from yours and will leave me to make a different decision (see Romans 14).  The danger is when I make my decision, assuming it is best for everyone and tell you to do the same.  That's legalism and not only does it put a stumbling block before my brother but it breaks down the unity and diversity that the body of Christ is to exhibit. 

Instead, let us be exhorting one another, to be seeking God's direction, trusting that the Lord will lead them to make the right decision by faith.  As Paul says, "The faith which you have, have as your own conviction before God."  This is an area where the Lord is stretching me, so that whether one chooses to leave or stay I can trust that the Lord was leading them to make that decision based on their convictions just as He did me and praise God that the diversity more fully reflects His heart and accomplishes His purposes.

More than just a season...

I sometimes joke about the idea that in heaven I hope the place the Lord provides for me has a perfected lawn.  I don't know why but I love those yards where the grass is thick and cut short and well maintained, to me that just looks like the type of home I would like to call my own!  Needless to say my grass never looks like that.  For a while I thought I had perfected the art of killing grass in my own yard.  Early on in my adventures in adulthood I did it all wrong.  I never watered, I cut the grass way too short, and I bagged the clippings.  All the things that an expert or a simple google search would tell you not to do!  About two years ago I had a friend who owns his own lawn care business who finally sat down and told me how to take care of it.  It took a while, but I'm finally understanding more about how to keep a yard and take care of it.  

Since that time I've learned the importance of fertilizing, watering regularly, of cutting the grass to a certain length that is not too short, and not bagging the clippings.  My yard looks better than it has in years, but the grass still isn't as thick as I wish it was.  The other day I commented to Jen how much of yard maintenance is a process that just takes time, even several years.  I find that truth to be such an important reminder to my heart.  Too often I can become fooled into thinking that change or growth can and should happen rapidly.  So much of our world continues to value speed and see it as correlating with productivity and effectiveness.  We are fooled into thinking that in our work place, we can be guilty of wanting change to happen quickly in our parenting strategies, even in the way we look at our own lives and habits that need to be broken or change.  In some ways, losing our connection to the ground (from which we came mind you), prevents us from remembering the slow methodical way that God chooses to work in our world.  Incredibly, when Jesus appeared on the scene and began teaching and telling stories many of His' parables were taking agriculture or common topics and using them as illustrations of a deeper point.  Certainly this was to bridge the gap for His listeners, but I wonder if some of the choice of a seed, a field, or even yeast that Jesus used as illustrations for the kingdom were done intentionally to emphasize the steady and persistent working of His kingdom?  These were all topics that his listeners understood didn't happen rapidly or in one season, but could take years to accomplish their goal.

My hope is that my yard will continue to look thicker and healthier as I have learned how to care for it more effectively.  I recognize now that it will take seasons and years before it looks the way I would like.  There are small and subtle changes that I notice from time to time because it is steadily growing and permeating to other areas of the yard.  That's the way the kingdom is working both in my heart and all around me as well.  Our role is to responsibly participate in His kingdom work by patiently and faithfully committing our lives to the work.  Sometimes we will see fruit, sometimes not, but God is in charge of the transformation, we are simply called to the task of serving and sharing.  That's a reminder to myself and others not to become weary of the task but to as Paul said, press on towards the goal God has given to us in Christ Jesus.

Sin Spirals

Have you ever found yourself in a bad situation, having to make a choice between two bad options and wondered how did I get there?  The best example I have is driving home from a ski trip late one evening.  We had to leave the lodge that evening to avoid being snowed in.  We drove through the night on a road we didn't know down to Albuquerque New Mexico.  We stopped for gas late in the evening well past midnight at a pretty sketchy gas station.  There were bars on the window, and a number of guys outside drinking something out of a brown papered bag.  As we were pumping for gas I remember thinking, "How did it get to this?"

I imagine the Biblical characters often had that same reflection.  Recently as I was reading through Genesis in my own devotional time I came to the story of Abram, Sarai, and Hagar in Genesis 16 and for the first time a detail in the story stuck out to me.  Verse one says, "Now Sarai, Abram's wife had borne him no children, and she had an Egyptian maid whose name was Hagar."  If you know the story, God had promised Abram a son through his wife Sarai, but they were both old, advanced beyond child bearing years and they grew worried.  Rather than clinging to the promises of God, their hands get fidgety and they decide to make the promise happen through their own schemes.  Sarai gives Abram Hagar and tells him to take her and have a child through her.    The conclusion they were making was that this must be how God meant to fulfill the promise.  Abram agrees and takes Hagar and has a son through her.  Literally, the Middle East has not been the same since that moment.  Hagar's son Ishmael is the patriarch of the Arab nation.  Sarai's soon to be born son Isaac, the patriarch of the Jewish nation.  The two nations have warred for thousands of years, even to this day.

Sin has long lasting and far reaching consequences that we don't perceive in the moment.  Going back to the garden, the consequences of Adam and Eve's action couldn't possibly be known or understood in that moment.  For Abram, the same could be true as well.  Yet, the sin began before chapter 16.  Notice Hagar is said to be an Egyptian.  That begs the question, when did they pick up this Egyptian servant?  Going back to Genesis 12:10 we see Abram and Sarai in the Promised Land that God had given them, yet there's a problem, there is a famine.  In that moment, Abram has a decision to make, trust the God who brought him to this land to provide despite the shortage or to try and fix it on his own.  The text gives no indication that Abram received direction or permission to go to Egypt, instead he goes on his own.  He acts not based on faith, but fear.  In doing so his wife likely picked up a young Egyptian servant named Hagar.  Later, when Sarai comes with this idea about taking Hagar and having a son through her, Abram is confronted with a choice, act based on faith or fear and he again chooses fear.

Sin has a way of sending our lives in a direction we don't intend.  In the case of Abram, not only was the sin seen in Genesis 16, but it was built on the sinful decision to go to Egypt in Genesis 12.  We see other examples of this in Scripture.  David's colossal sins of adultery and murder were deeply connected and decisions that reflected fear rather than faith.  In our own lives, the decisions we make to cover up or solve an issue reflect a prior sin or rejection of faith.

I take heart in knowing that despite times in which Abram displayed such faithlessness, that over and over again in the New Testament he is held up as a model of walking by faith.  Abram's faith was not perfect or free of doubt, for he had many failures.  It was however persistent and that should be our goal as well.

I also find Genesis to be a story too often told about the faith of a man, rather than the faithfulness of his God.  Genesis is a broken story from Genesis 3 to the very end.  Abraham despite moments of great faith, fails.  In that brokenness and failure the God who promised to work through Abram remains constant and effectively uses him and his seed to accomplish His purpose on this world.  That reminder should provide us with hope, that despite our sin, brokenness, and even the spirals that we find ourselves in, God's faithfulness remains constant and effectively works to accomplish His glory.

When seasons lag

Over the last four years as Jen and I have lived in Texas we've become aware that seasons in Texas do not resemble those four seasons of spring, summer, fall, and winter that we became accustomed to in Oklahoma.  Oh sure Texas has those four seasons, its just that Summer lasts from June to mid October, fall takes place sometime between Halloween and mid December, and winter picks up prior to Christmas and lasts through February.  The difficulty for me in the adjustment has just been with the summer.  When your a.c. is still running in late October that season has lagged too long for me! 

In so many ways life reflects the Texas seasons much more than it does your typical and conventional calendar.  For each of us, we've experienced seasons that seemed to end abruptly that we wished would have lasted longer.  Perhaps that was a job that we enjoyed or a season of living closer to family or a good friend.  Other seasons seemed to last too long.  In those season we longed for change.  Perhaps that was a season of discontent with a relationship or job or perhaps it was personal discouragement that we longed to overcome.  

Throughout Scripture we see the people of God experiencing similar seasons that lag.  Joseph sat in a prison cell for years awaiting deliverance and justice from God with no end in sight to his nightmare.  David waited while on the run as a fugitive to someday be the king God had promised to make him.  Simeon waited for years to hold the promised Messiah that God had promised.  The apostle John waited for his returning King and Lord. God's slow and methodically steady hand has always been at work using the time and the waiting in the lives of his servants.  

As Peter mentions as he says, "But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.  The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

Over the last several months I have been reminded of God's goodness in the waiting.  That in spite of my desires for Him to work more quickly or transition us to a different season or stage that His purposes are refining in my own life and working for good.  Here are a few principles that have been so helpful for me to learn:

• God's called me to be present  in this moment, not consumed with what is next.   Too often we can find ourselves concerned and focused on the next season that we forget about the present one.  As Jesus says in Matthew 6, " Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."  God knows how often I have found myself guilty of thinking about the next stage of parenting rather than being all in with my child in the present moment or thinking about the next season rather than fully investing with those relationships around me now.  In doing so I'm missing opportunities to see Him at work and losing time to invest my life in others.  Like Paul says, we are called to make the most of our time.
• God's timetable operates different than my own.  In my complaints about lagging seasons and stages that I'm eager to transition on there is an undercurrent from which those feelings flows that, if I were to be honest reflect a battle I fight with the idol of control.  Ultimately my complaints reveal that deep down I think I have a better idea for how this story should be written, the length of each chapter, and the details of the script.  These complaints are my balking with the way this story is going.  Instead of complaining, I must choose to trust that in the same way that God worked through the persistent faith of His servants long ago, God is also working in my own life at a speed that is steady and persistent.  My role is to trust that His timing can accomplish something in me (dependence) that can't be done in two minutes or less. 
• Rejoice all the more when those seasons of Spring lag. In just the same way that I have experienced seasons that were difficult or challenging that I longed to end, I have also experienced sweet seasons of spring where goodness and joy exceeded what I deserved.  In those seasons my response is to rejoice and express thanksgiving for God's compassion.  Over the last several months Jen and I have been remarked how grateful and content we are.  We are in a season where God's undeserved graciousness to us has overflowed what we deserve and we rejoice.  

Unsung Heroes

Despite where you might look one finds within our culture that we are trained to request, seek, and demand the attention of others.  It's everywhere, it's why football stars come up with touchdown celebrations that scream, "Look at me!"  It's why celebrities try and one up one another on the red carpet or the awards shows.  It's why political discourse has grinded to a halt and personal attacks and one-line zingers have become the norm among political leaders.  It is the result of the idol of approval  taking over and controlling the affection of one's heart.  It certainly is an idol that many of us likely struggle, but that is for another day.

But rather than writing a post about the discouragement we must all feel as we look around and see a society that molds us into being self-absorbed as we seek the praise, approval and eyes of others, too often we miss the incredible reality that behind every star or touchdown dance, there are those whose job was to block so that he had the chance.  Behind every celebrity making a fool of themselves on stage at an awards show is a bass player who is faithfully playing his chords with no acclaim.  Behind every politician that takes the opportunity to use his platform to blast another is an aid who is researching and reading the actual law and sharing advice with the politician that would best benefit his constituents.  These are somewhat thankless jobs, the unseen heroes.

For whatever reason these have always held a soft spot in my heart.  My best friends in high school were not the diva wide receivers, but our offensive linemen.  They were critical to any success that I or others had, but seldom were recognized outside of our locker room.  In young adulthood I got to know some guys who had played in bands as a bassist or drummer.  I appreciated so much their perseverance and the incredible investment that their talent and vision had on the music that was produced, yet the mic was rarely given to them in an interview.  In each case their investment and presence was absolutely essential yet rarely noticed or appreciated as much as they deserved.

As I have had opportunities to lead in local churches, my eye is regularly looking for those who are serving, leading, and investing but are rarely noticed.  Those who are the unseen heroes in a church.  The list could be plenty long.  I think of those who serve faithfully in children's ministry.  My in-law's have taught Sunday School at their church for early elementary kids for over twenty years.  They are investing week to week with kids and as faithful as they come.  They have been an incredible example to me of faithfulness and endurance in ministry.  I think of those custodians who keep the place in order and clean.  At the church where I work now, I love driving up to see a red pickup truck as Calvin is already at work.  That building is in order and he is making sure that things are ready for the activities of the day.  I can't imagine the place without him!  I think of those who serve in positions of leadership on a deacon/elder board.  The decisions that they are forced to wrestle and pray over are immense and their Godly wisdom and discernment not only for Scripture but for the signs of the time are necessary for the sheep in that local congregation.  I've been so grateful for the leaders at both churches where I've served.  Their faithfulness has left a mark in my life and always been a request I've prayed, that they would continue to fight the good fight.

The list could and should go on, but here are three ways that I'm trying to express my appreciation for unsung heroes near me;

1. Expressing my thanks in person.  It certainly is not a radical idea, but just take a moment to tell them personally how much I appreciate them and their service.  I want them to know that I see and am grateful for their investment.
2. Express my thanks by card & gift.  Ever since Jen and I had kids we tried to give gifts to our boys' Sunday School teachers.  We believe strongly in their impact and want them to know how much they mean to us.  It usually is a hand written card and some pastry around Christmas or a craft and gift card at the end of the year, but we simply want them to know their investment is noticed and worth it in our eyes.
3. Imitation.  They say that imitation is the highest form of flattery.  In my case that means seeking out jobs that nobody notices and doing them.  I used to request that I get to clean the Youth House because I wanted a job that went unseen.  I want to be faithful even if nobody is approving or saying good job.  In some ways it sows humility that I need in my heart and my hope is that it will reap selflessness in my life as well.

 

William Gibson Felker

As I lay on the couch next to a sleeping newborn in his jaundice bed, I can't hardly believe we are back at this stage again.  Athan was born five years ago and so in many ways it seems we've outgrown this newborn stage!  But in so many ways Jen and I are jubilant to have another little gift from above to care and teach.

William Gibson Felker was born August 9th at 5:27 p.m.  Like Hudson before him, that was a Sunday which always makes for an exciting day with church and the arrival of a new child!  He was early, like his brother Athan as his due date was not until August 27th.  In many ways he followed a similar line to his older brothers, but in many ways he carved his own path.  He is our first Texas baby, which comes with all of that state pride woven into the D.N.A.  He is our first C-section (He was breach so Jen didn't have a choice!).

As with the other two, Jen and I were committed to naming this one after heroes of the faith.  As the boys have grown older those conversations about their namesakes, Hudson Taylor and Athanasius have been a sweet way to reinforce the dependence upon the Lord and faithfulness to His plan that we pray and long the boys would emulate.  With this one Jen and I would both admittedly struggle to decide.  We love the boys' names and wanted something that we loved as much this time around.  Jen has always loved the name William and wanted to use it.  A few months ago she asked if I would read a biography by someone named William so we could use the name!  Certainly there are some great heroes that would do such as William Carey, the first modern missionary or William Wilberforce, who championed the end of the slave trade in the British Empire, but I settled on a biography about William Tyndale.

Tyndale was the first to translate the Bible into English from the Hebrew and Greek.   He did so at a time in which this was a capital offense in England.  As a result he fled to Europe to find a printer who would print his translations for him.  He moved around from town to town to stay hidden, but was eventually caught and martyred.  As he was being burned at the stake, he prayerfully said, "Lord, open the king of England's eyes."  As I read the biography about this humble servant whose work is so often forgotten, I couldn't help but consider what joy and direction I find in my English Bible and how thankful I am for men like William Tyndale whose love for the Word of God compelled him to lay his life down in faithfulness to the Lord in order to provide other English speakers with the ability to read the Word of God in their own tongue.  Tyndale's story is one I am looking forward to sharing with William in the years ahead!

In deciding on a middle name, Jen and I again reflected back on another servant of the Lord, named John G. Paton, the "king of the Cannibals".  Paton was a missionary to cannibals in the S. Pacific islands.  His devotion to them and seeing them hear and respond to the gospel meant the loss of his wife and small child and danger for many years, but his commitment to the Lord's call was unwavering.  Paton's biography was perhaps the first missionary biography I ever read and got me hooked!  It seemed a wonderful way to remember his life and story by using his middle name, Gibson, as William's middle name as well.

The world is truly not worthy of men like William Tyndale and John Gibson Paton, whose devotion to His Word and His work globally makes them to shine as the stars in the sky.  Our prayer this night and each night is that William would love the Lord, would pursue to know Him by looking and reading and studying His Word, and would follow the Lord's call wherever that takes Him.

 "The LORD has done great things for us; and we are filled with joy."

Jesus throws the best parties?

Over the last several years I have been indebted to many within the missional movement.  Their emphasis on the church and its purpose being outside of itself is so essential for a post-Christendom world.  I've been blessed to have the opportunity to go to conferences, visit with some of these speakers, and read many of their books and publications.  Despite so much that I am thankful to them for, I have heard one idea that continues to be tossed out in these circles and continues to unsettle me each time I read or hear it.

My issue comes in the form of the way they portray Jesus during His time on Earth.  In much of their writings and speaking a picture is painted as Jesus "throwing" or "having" the best parties.  The argument is based on their argument that we as Christians should be mingling with our neighbors as our lives are intertwined with them.  One of the examples of how to do this is by throwing parties such as block parties.  The statement has been made Jesus threw the best parties, so shouldn't we do the same?  But we have to ask the question, Is that what Scripture presents?

Here is a quick take of the gospel accounts and Jesus either attending a party, talking about a party, or being accused of attending a party or socially communing with others.

Matthew

-9:9-14           Levi’s Party

-11:19            “Son of Man came eating and drinking,” – Claim made by Jesus' opponents

-22 and 25      Parable of Wedding Feast

-26:6-13         Jesus’ body prepared for burial with perfume

-26:17-19       Last Supper- Jesus was the One who made preparations

Mark

-2:15-18         Matthew’s (Levi) Party

-14:1-9           Mary pours perfume for Jesus

-14:13-15       Jesus sends two disciples to Upper Room ahead of the rest

Luke

-5:29               Matthew's (Levi) Party

-7:36               Jesus dines with the Pharisee (Simon) as woman washes his feet.

-9:58               Foxes have holes* (I'll come back to this...)

-11:37-38        Jesus dines with Pharisee

-14:1               Jesus dines with one of the leaders of the Pharisees

-14:16             Parable of the banquet

-15:2               Pharisees claim he eats with sinners/tax-collectors

-19:1-10          Jesus stays (dines) with Zaccheus

-22:8               Jesus sends Peter and John to prepare the Upper Room

-24:30             Jesus shares a meal with 2 followers on the way to Emmaus

John

-2:1-11           Wedding in Cana

-12:1-8           Dining with Lazarus as Mary pours perfume

-13:1               Last Supper
-21:1               Firepit on the beach with disciples

Here are a few observations;

1. Perhaps surprisingly, the gospels record Jesus sharing more meals with Pharisees or leaders of the Jews than sinners or tax-collectors.  That's the irony of the Luke 15:2 accusation!  Jesus certainly shared meals with the outcast, but he wasn't opposed to dining with the elite or upper class either.  
2. In terms of hosting or throwing a party the Lord's Supper is the closest thing to Jesus hosting a party in the gospels.  
3. In Luke 9:58 we find a truth that is critical to understanding the connection between Jesus, His first coming, and attendance at parties.  In that passage Jesus makes the statement, "foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head."  In the first coming Jesus came as a suffering servant who had no home, no place that was His.  As John  said, "He came to His own, and those who were His own rejected Him."  He had no place in which He could host His party or display hospitality, but that was the design of the first coming.  Jesus came in humility and embraces His role in a place that was not His own, He attended parties with sinners, tax-collector's, religious elite, and leaders of the day.  Despite the background, motivation, or hostility towards Him, Jesus united with them in that most basic human connection of sharing a meal with them.
4. At the Last Supper in Matthew 26:29, Jesus alludes to a time in which He will throw a party in the kingdom, a meal known as the marriage supper of the Lamb. 

So what does this mean for us?

• First, it means we can't claim Jesus threw or went to the best parties.  Scripture doesn't paint that picture.  Instead, the parties Jesus went to were either motivated by elite's trying to catch him in sin or by a recent convert bringing Jesus back to introduce him to his tax-collecting buddies, but this doesn't seem to be the event of the year in any of their minds. Even the wedding in Cana where Jesus turned the water to wine Jesus does covertly. 
• Second, Jesus' example of acceptance and value for meals is still something to emulate.  Despite the fact that Jesus set aside the means to host by coming to the world as a Suffering Servant, He continued to dine and socialize with folks from a variety of different lifestyles.  Sinners weren't too low to have an audience with our Lord, nor those whose intentions were malicious too guilty to break bread with Him.  As a result, when we think of those we may spend time socializing with, whether we have the opportunity to host them or visa-versa, do they reveal the same time of diversity as His or is the audience homogenous to our own background and beliefs?
• Third, Jesus will throw the best of all parties. The problem with a great party is that at some point it has to attend.  Jesus alludes to the kingdom of God, when peace and justice and unity will exist between all participants for all time.  That is the party He will host and the one we long to enjoy forever. Until that time, social gatherings of all kinds are a means for us to talk about our hope, to express our love, and walk by faith in Him who is coming quickly and invites all to come.

Our Story

The other night I was reading a Bible story to the boys.  We have a few kids Bible's that we rotate through annually.  As always, Athan had convinced me to read an extra one which I attempt to tell myself is his spiritual interest, while knowing deep down it's just him milking the clock so he can put off bed time for a few more minutes.  As I placed the bookmark on the next page, which happened to be the story of the crucifixion, Athan excitedly exclaimed, "The cross, yes, I love this story!"

As he said it, I was a bit taken aback and he seemed to notice my surprise so he tried to back track his excitement.  No matter the time, I couldn't let a chance like this pass me by without pressing him about his excitement.  As I questioned him, his answer was simple, "I like the cross, because it's a story about me."  

This got me thinking about the way we perceive of Scripture.  At least for me, in my weak or perhaps carnal moments, Scripture has the tendency to appear distant, wooden, historic, and perhaps even boring.  It describes facts, events, and people that lived two millennia ago, an ocean away, in cultures we hardly understand.  In these moments the text seems to have little consequence in the way our life is turning out or what God would have us do in our current circumstances.  Obviously this is a heart issue that goes deeper and requires a deeper solution than merely "concentrate more."  However, what we find in Scripture was never intended to feel stale.  In fact throughout Scripture, the audience is often considered and even drawn into the story.  Part of the purpose of the author seems to be to convey the story in such a way that it has no conclusion, but remains open ended, causing the reader to take a role in its conclusion.  In this sense the story pulls the audience in and reveals that yes, the story is in a sense, as Athan admitted, about them.

Here are a few examples...

• Mark 16-  Often debated, many scholars see the ending coming in v.8.  In doing so the gospel ends with little to no resolution to the story.  Why? As N.T. Wright speculates, "There is a blank at the end of the story, and we are invited to fill it ourselves.  Do we take Easter for granted, or have we found ourselves awestruck at the strange new way of God?"  Those who accept this ending find Mark inviting his readers into the story, that just as the gospel starts by saying, "This is the beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ," so the story is not over, it continues on now intersecting with our story and how we will respond to such news. 
• John 17; 20:30-31- The night before Jesus dies He offers up His High Priestly Prayer.  What's striking about this prayer is not just that hours before such a trying experience He is praying for others, but who exactly He is praying for.  We might expect prayers for His disciples to be lifted up, but we also find Jesus praying, "for those who would believe in Him on their behalf."  The reader is confronted with the fact that their Savior is praying for them moments before His passion.  For the reader who has yet to believe in Christ, the phrase had to move them to reflection, causing them to ask the question, "does that include me?"  John clearly explains his purpose for writing in John 20:30-31 as to reveal Jesus is the Son of God so that the reader might believe in Him.  John confesses that he could have included different material in his gospel, but he included these stories because he had the reader in mind as he recorded this story.
• John 20:26-29- In this account of Thomas and his affirmation John has his readers in mind.  Here's how.  Jesus appears to all of the disciples while Thomas had stepped out.  Whether he was just getting some fresh air or out running some errands for the group is unclear.  When he returns the disciples eagerly share what they had experienced, but Thomas refuses to believe that Jesus has risen from the dead, claiming that he must see Jesus in order to believe.  In v.26 Jesus appears to Thomas and tells Thomas, "blessed are those who believe, though they do not see." Why include this interchange?  John knows that his readers did not see the acts or hear the teachings of Jesus yet need to believe (v.31).  There is something hard about believing in something we can't see, John remembers the Lord admitting that, and wants his readers to understand that Jesus himself acknowledged that fact, but still affirmed and blessed those who would believe despite their lack of seeing.   This story was included because it directly related to a situation John's readers faced, in a small way, it was about them.

One last caveat, in saying that these stories are about the reader, I am not suggesting that their purpose or ultimate meaning is found outside of the person of Jesus.  I affirm that all Scripture ultimately finds its purpose and meaning in Him, however I am suggesting that the authors were selecting stories and experiences from Jesus' life and ministry that directly addressed or spoke to the circumstances of their readers, that in some sense their life impacted the material that was included in the canon.  

The hero isn't within

I've been thinking for some time about stories and fiction and wanted to take some time to express a similar thread I see in most good fiction.  Take a few moments to reflect on books or movies that you've read recently that would classify as fiction with a normal protagonist, theme, plot, etc.  For some, you may be thinking of Lord of the Rings, Batman, the Lion King, or even 24!  One of the similarities I've noticed is the almost laughably predictable climax in these dramas where the protagonist or hero confronts the antagonist and nemesis in the story.  You typically find the drama ramp up as the two foes battle and they usually each have blows against each other that wound or hurt their foe.  In this way the story expresses the comparable ability of those in the fight and suspends the resolution for a bit longer.  In addition to this back and forth, the hero typically is overcome by the antagonist and seems to lose the fight.  Take for example Batman's battle with the Joker in The Dark Knight, or Thorin in the last Hobbit movie.  For each, the antagonist seems to have the upper hand and the victory, before the protagonist overcomes the odds and the likely ending and wins the confrontation.  To use a boxing analogy, it often is as if the protagonist loses the majority of the rounds before connecting on a knockout blow to win the fight.

At times as I've read or watched these depictions I've been annoyed by the predictable scene and the portrayal of the protagonist as being bested before delivering one lucky or skillful blow that defeats the antagonist.  Why can't we see a hero who wins quickly or soundly?  Why can't the protagonist avoid the near defeat?  Now some of this is part of the power of story, of developing drama and tension and pulling at the audience's emotion by increasing that drama or tension, but I think there's more to it.

One of the greatest impacts story can make takes place by developing a protagonist that the audience can identify with.  This is done by opening the hero up to reveal their flaws and vulnerabilities.  Isn't that what we love about Harry Potter or Frodo Baggins?  They seem so ordinary, just like us!  The reality is that we each are aware of flaws or vulnerabilities in our own life and long for heroes who overcome those flaws and their foes.  That's what draws us to story and ignites our imaginations.

I've recently picked up the Chronicles of Narnia again (first time as an adult) and just finished the Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.  It's been years since I last read it, but its funny to read it now as and compare my thoughts and feelings with those I had as a child or teen.  One of the things I've noticed is that I've never identified with Peter, the older brother in the story.  Something about his character is too right, too good, too absent of flaws.  Don't get me wrong, I love Peter, but I've always found commonality with Edmund.  Not because I wanted to, but because Edmund is a character that possesses deep flaws; selfishness, and jealousy from the very outset.  Those are emotions I could  see in myself.  One of the aspects of Narnia that I've always appreciated is Edmund's transformation.  It's remarkable to watch his change from the petty boy wanting only turkish delight to the king willing to trust Lucy and follow his High King Peter into battle.  Edmund's transformation happens not because of something within him, where he became brave and overcame his fear and foes, but it happened because he had an encounter with Aslan.  That's ultimately what I love about Narnia or Lord of the Rings for that matter.  The heroes don't find the solution to their problems within themselves, but they find it outside of themselves in someone else.  Ultimately that's the type of story that I love because it serves as such a clear metaphor to the life we are called to live in Christ.  Each of us are filled with flaws, vulnerabilities, and challenges to overcome, but our ability to do so isn't something we can accomplish unless we learn to look to Christ, yielding ourselves to His Spirit, and abiding in Him.  In that sense all good stories, that is stories in which we so vividly identify with the protagonist, portray them as not getting out of their circumstances or overcoming their problems through their own wit, skill, or strength, but as they find the True Hero outside of themselves.

10 best of 2014

This was the first full year I was able to choose what I wanted to read and didn't have a stack of syllabi that dictated it for me!  Needless to say, I took advantage of the freedom.  Here were my 10 favorite's of 2014 in no particular order;

Crazy Busy  -DeYoung confesses from the outset he's probably the last person that should be writing on this topic, but his own struggles with the issue of busyness allowed the book to come from a perspective of  a fellow struggler rather than coming from someone who has the solutions.  The chapter on parenting is worth the price and highly convicting. 

Lion of War series -  A 5-book series that centers on David and his mighty men, Cliff Graham has written the first three (I'm combining the 3 into 1 for the sake of getting them in my top-3 for the year), with two still unwritten.  I read the first three quickly as Graham gives great insight into the bonds that build between men as they fight and serve together, while also sticking to the text as much as possible.  A great series that makes these characters come to life as you experience their failures, hurts, loss, and their God-given success and victory.   

The Great Divorce - C.S. Lewis' classic work on heaven and hell gives us a better glimpse into human nature and the  struggles we face with pride and idolatry.  One line continues to stick out from this book, "There are two types of people, those who say to God, "thy will be done," and those to whom God says, "thy will be done.""  The idea in the book is that perhaps  the gates of hell will be locked from the inside out.

Till We have Faces - Another C.S. Lewis class that was said to be one of his favorite books to write.  The book takes a look at the story of Cupid and Psyche from Greek mythology with a different perspective.  It reminds us of God's use of humility and brokenness in our own lives that brings to a point where we can see ourselves as God does.

The Hiding Place - This classic by Corrie Ten Boom chronicles the lives of the Ten Boom family in Nazi controlled Holland as they sought to protect Jews from being arrested and sent to concentration camps.  Corrie's willingness to admit her own doubts and struggles with faith in the midst of their circumstances not honestly was honest, but allowed her to come across, not as a hero, but as someone we all can empathize with as we see or experience our own trials and seasons of suffering.   

How God became King - N.T. Wright's work on the purpose of the Gospels looks at the true meaning of the gospels and their focus, not on Christ's death or resurrection, but the vast majority of them focus on His life.  His premise, is that their is something in the life of Jesus that we miss when we as Christians just want to fast forward and talk about Jesus death/resurrection.  His belief is that we miss the argument and the identity of Jesus when we skip or hurry through the details of his life as presented in the gospels.  Great book.

Counterfeit Gods  - Tim Keller's look at idolatry was helpful in thinking about my own struggles with sin, and being able to see patterns of idolatry taking place in the characters of Scripture as well.  He argues that all of sin at its core is idolatry and a worship issue.  This book was a great resource for self reflection. 

Visit the Sick -When I first became a pastor I knew visits were part of the job, but I didn't know what these were supposed to look like.  I talked to some pastor friends and got some insight from their experience, but never found a good resource on the subject, until I stumbled upon this book.  The book is short, but gives some concrete ideas for what these visits should look like and what the goals should be for the pastor as they take a visit.

Uncommon Union - This history of Dallas Theological Seminary is thorough yet dry, but gives a backdrop into my school that I am appreciative to have read.  UU explains so much of what I experienced and why DTS is the way it is.  I enjoyed this work and exploring more deeply the roots of my theology and the school where I spent so many years in preparation for ministry.   

Heaven  I have been wanting to finish Alcorn's book on Heaven for years, but never took the time until now.  The book is nearly 500 pages and explores Scriptures teachings on the subject.  Nearly any question one might have about the subject is explored and answered.  It was a great read that shaped my image of Heaven and excited my imagination about the world to come!

India Trip

In my experience, trying to boil down a trip of this magnitude, with the miles of travel it took, the opportunities for service, and engagement with cultural diversity always feels like an unfair task.  Unfair because I can’t do justice to the incredible brothers and sisters in Christ I was able to serve alongside.  Unfair because words on a page can’t properly express the sights, sounds, and smells of a land with such rich cultural and spiritual roots as India.  Unfair because the experience of serving in a far off place trimmed down to a few paragraphs of highlights and struggles seems superficial.  Since returning, I’ve often been asked, “how was India?”  Rather than providing an answer, I would much prefer to answer with a question, “How much do you want to know?”  

I write down these observations about our trip, and confess they fall short of expressing the experience, but wanted to pass them along to you, because you should know the needs of our broken and depraved world, and please know India is greatly in need.  Secondly, I wanted you to know because I wanted you to be encouraged that prayer was a protection over our team on this trip.  So my deepest thanks!

So here are a few observations;

• As I mentioned before, our team (of 6) worked with a ministry called Rahab’s Rope in Goa India.  There in Goa, RR partners with two preschools working in two different slums (Think of Slumdog Millionaire) around Goa.  The children who attend these schools are coming from Hindu or Muslim homes.  At the preschool, the kids learn Bible stories and Christian songs.  Families are okay with their kids being exposed to this because of education.  Families are so desperate to get a better life for their kids that they don’t mind Christian exposure if the education is strong.  As we partnered with the schools, they asked that everything we do connect back to the gospel.  Crafts, hygiene programs, or nutrition all was rooted in Scripture.  
• Amos talks about a drought in the land of the Word of God.  I felt that way about India.  In a land with over 1.2 billion people (which you feel the density of the population), the lack of churches is felt.  The pastor’s we interacted with were grateful for us being there and asked me to teach at Bible studies and prayer meetings because they longed for the Word of God.  Those were my highlights, having the opportunity to teach the Word was a humbling experience I’m grateful to have had.
• We visited two Hindu temples.  It was a weighty experience.  2 Corinthians 4:4 rang in my mind.  Those who were coming were blinded of the light of the gospel. All we were able to do was pray, that scales and blinders would be removed in the minds of those who came to worship or present offerings to these idols.  
• The trash and filth was everywhere.  Trash was all over the side of the roads, in fields, and decomposing, which added to the smell.  Dogs and cows were everywhere and free to roam where they wanted.  On more than one occasion our bus or taxi was forced to come to a stop because cows were in the middle of the road.  Sidenote; It added to the chaos that seemed to be the norm in the land.    

I got an extra day and flew to Bangalore and saw my good friend Dave Sangiah and his wife Phebey and his young son Arun.  The time went too fast, but I loved getting to see them and their ministry.  Dave’s been a great friend, and I’ve missed getting to see/talk to him as much now that he is in India.   They have a church they are shepherding and Dave is teaching at a local Bible School/Seminary.  We had a great Sunday morning of worship at their church.  I’m really excited for them and what God has in store for them in Bangalore.  Their ministry is providing great Bible teaching and laying a foundation for the gospel throughout India.  It would be a great ministry to consider supporting if you are looking at investing overseas.  

Finally, let me encourage you to go.  Short-term missions certainly have some flaws, but I can't imagine a better way for God to remind my heart of the importance of the Great Commission or the reminder that at the throne we will be surrounded by the redeemed from every tribe, tongue, and nation and the power that the unity we share amidst diversity can have.    Take a short trip through your church or a missions agency, you won't regret the experience!
As expressed earlier, I believe in the power of prayer and was indebted to those of you who prayed for our team.  Our God is gracious and good and our team is so thankful for your support!  

Reason for Sports Review

I picked up this book the other night to just get a gist for its flow and purpose and finished it the next night!  On the front end, let me admit that I love just about anything Kluck writes (his parts of "Why we love the Church" had me crying in places).  He writes with a cynical perspective that blends sarcasm and honesty in a way that I love.

The book is a collection of essays that explore the connections between sports, culture and the Christian faith.  From that standpoint the chapters don't build on one another, but in many ways stand on their own.  Kluck admits that much of what we see in sports is not admirable, and leaves the Christian to wonder whether we should engage with our culture on this front or not.  More than anything Kluck seeks to engage his readers on how Christians should view sports, better said how sports should be funneled through our Christian faith and though the book is not extensive in his exploration of this question, he leaves the reader wanting more, though certainly making one aware of new paths to explore.

His perspective was refreshing in places as he pulled quotes from stars such as Tom Brady and Tony Mandarich, men who are not Christians, who expressed an Ecclesiastes perspective on life, success, and fame.  At one point he reminds his readers, "Christian sportswriters can write about non-Christian athletes in a way that still upholds the gospel and makes people think about Christ." Though not expressed, I would think the challenge with this approach is that so few believers see the world through a gospel lens, allowing it to show up in places we rarely would find it.  That's where this book was so refreshing, it reminds us that the gospel can be seen even where we least expect it.

Kluck's insights on Mike Tyson and Ricky Williams were needed and should give any fan a warning about cheering or making smug comments at an athlete's demise whether on or off the field.  Both of these men are extremely flawed, yet they both express such awareness of their own depravity that never seems to be expressed by a Christian athlete.

Be aware that Kluck comes down pretty strong against so-called Christian athletes, mentioning Dwight Howard as one example of someone who takes the label, but who often fall into very public sin.  Kluck seems to suggest he'd rather a Christian not be as public about their faith, but simply be real.  I couldn't help but say an "amen" to this point.  As a child I read Sports Spectrum and can't tell you the number of guys on the cover who have had very public falls or show character on or off the field that seems contrary to their affirmation that they are a follower of Christ.

In addition, Kluck comes down hard against Christian films and books (I told you some of the sections were random!)  Though some of his critique is cinematic in nature, much of what he takes issue with is this cycle that they typically use that shows initial faith, wayward/rebellious years, hitting some form of rock bottom, greater commitment to the Lord, great rewards (new contract, super bowl win).  The books continue to be sold, movies made that use that type of cycle.  Here's the problem, life doesn't always work out that way and God isn't on the hook if He doesn't provide a super bowl or beautiful wife to the Christian athlete.  That's not grace nor the Christian faith.  Instead, Kluck points to a movie like Chariots of Fire and displays how the characters are all wrestling with meaning and purpose and seeking to find it in different places.

Finally, Kluck argues that sports are good, but must be compartmentalized, that is that they have a place.  Sports are a gateway for men to have relationships.  Whether that's at a surface level about fantasy football, a deep and rich level that a father and son find through practices and games, or whether that's a friendship that bridges racial, social, or even religious divides, sports provide that opportunity for guys to engage with other guys.  I can't help but agree, my favorite and best moments with my dad are centered around watching, playing, and talking about sports and all the conversations that are spun from those discussions.  I've made friendships with guys with whom I shared nothing, but a desire to win or desire to see our team win.  This is a great book with a great message for men and the way we view sports.  

Community Idealism

A few weeks ago our community group added two new couples to our group and so much of the night was built around getting to know each other a bit better.  Whenever I start a group I tend to like to go back and study together Acts 2:41-47.  It seems to be the small group text!  It's beautiful in its description of the early church and the type of oneness and community they experienced shortly after the ascension of Christ.  It's always a great starting line for a group to look at the model of community they experienced as they daily met together, met each others needs,  shared meals together, and studied and prayed together.  In reading the passage, there is something simplistic that goes against what we so often experience today within a culture that exalts the individual to the communities detriment.  In that sense every group I've ever been a part of longs to experience what they must have experienced.  

Here's the problem with this type of community idealism, it fails to reflect the depths of the text.  See here's my confession, I too easily can begin to exalt their example, and fail to think about the burden and challenge it truly would have been.  Think about it, have you had a friend ask for money or even a ride before?  It's uncomfortable!  Meeting the needs of others is always costly, yet they did it.  Or how about the fact that they gathered in homes daily across the city.  As much as we long for that, there is also a part of us that truly enjoys the drive in the garage and then letting the door down before we step out of our car.  We like our isolation!  They sacrificed their's to experience the fellowship of the Spirit.  

Here's the second problem with this type of idealism, it fails to reflect the movement of the text.  In Acts 5 the community experiences problems within, you have people lying to one another in order to gain a profit off of selling their land.  In Acts 6 you have some widows that aren't having their needs met.  See in order for us to understand the early church, we have to see it in light of the whole picture, both the beauty and selflessness of Acts 2 along with the disfunction and selfishness of Acts 5-6 and when we do we see that the early church was an incomplete picture of community.  Incomplete because it had nuggets of what God created us to enjoy, but was marred by our own sin.  

Here's why this is important; too often groups read Acts 2 and feel like that's what they need to achieve and six months later when its still tough and you still don't know their kids names' you begin to think, "we're doing it wrong." The truth is it's always been challenging, yet always worth it.  So how do we avoid falling into the idealistic trap?

• Be honest about the challenges -Its great to start with Acts 2, but in the discussion talk about the challenges to that picture of community that you will face.  It will be hard, it will be difficult, name it on the front end, it sets expectations.
• Embrace the differences- In many respects people often look for similarities with the people in their group, but Paul seems to suggest throughout his writings that there is something powerful about the diversity of the body (see 1 Cor. 12:13), and it reveals a more incredible change than a community that all looks alike.
• Remember the source of unity- Too often people can look for commonalities based on age, affinity, etc. but the early church found that type of unity despite differences because of the unity they found in one Lord and one Spirit.  Talk about the source of your unity as a group, so that you can be mindful of Who it is that unites each of you together.

25 Observations of Dallas Seminary

So this has been a long time coming but I'm finally done with seminary.  It took eight years, but I finally have the title of Master of Theology, though anyone whose received the degree knows, there is no such thing.  I wanted to chronicle 25 observations about my seminary journey in honor of the first assignment you do upon entering the seminary; make 25 observations of Acts 1:8!  The observations are in no type of order so please don't see this as a type of ranking.

1. International Students- Michael and Jean came from overseas to study at Dallas Seminary.  They have every intention of returning and beginning ministries either in their home countries or going to lands that are far less Christian in order to preach the gospel.  How sweet it was to share this season of life with diligent brothers in Christ.
2. Spiritual Formation Group- The group is a 2-year mandatory small group that students must participate.  They tell you horror stories on the front end of leaders that lead like dictators and participants who try to buck the system and end up having to start the group over again.  My experience was rich and rewarding, resulting in some of the sweetest friendships from my time in seminary.
3. Faculty.  I've read that you should pick your seminary based on the faculty and there could be no better advertisement for DTS.  Dr. Waters' missionary stories as we studied through Acts, or Dr. Bramer's ability to make the prophets come alive, or Dr. Bingham's innate skill at making all of church history directly relate with issues we face in our churches today are lessons that will continue to impact my ministry.  I will also appreciate Dr. Kreider's honesty about doubts, grace, and suffering, and Dr. Coover-Cox's kindness to a poor Hebrew student.  These stories and more make my experience rich and sweet.
4. Praying as a class on our knees in Hebrew 1 and 2.  No doubt DTS is an extremely academic institution, but despite the focus on higher learning, it was a sweet experience to begin this year long study of Hebrew by going to the Lord in prayer on our knees and then end our time together in the same posture, praying to the God who had revealed so much to us through our time together.
5. Worship Chapels. Nothing could be sweeter than gathering with others from different nations, all singing and proclaiming songs both new and old in Chafer chapel.  Reflecting on chapels of singing those old hymns with Chaplin Bill will excite and invigorate me for years to come.  
6. WM 101.  I took this class the semester that Hudson was born. We'd put him to bed and I'd gently encourage Jen to get to bed early as well so that I could begin my coursework.  There were specific lectures from Dr. Young that I watched twice as I was so challenged by his arguments and class.  I spent eighteen months wrestling with Matthew 15 before I finally felt like I understood it!
7. Going to Israel with Dr. Bramer- Such a wonderful opportunity to get to go to Israel with one of my favorite professors.  In addition, I only had to pay $750 for the 10-day tour.  God continues to give me insight into His word through that experience.
8. Haggai-In all honesty, I had never put much time into studying the minor prophets until I had a research paper on Haggai.  At that point I began to see how practical not only Haggai can be, but my eyes were opened to all of the minor prophets.
9. Church History- A.K.A. Historical Theology was my favorite area of study.  Too often evangelicals seem to lack a connection with the church in past generations and this was something that became obvious in these courses.  In many ways it changed my perspective on authority and the role of the church.  It also challenged me to read the original writings of those who have gone before.  The church fathers, the reformers, and others have steadily been in my reading pile over the last several years.
10. Bachelor Weeks- Sangiah's house The first six years of my study were spent doing online and week long courses in the summer or winter.  During those week long courses I would usually stay at a friend's, Dave Sangiah's apartment.  I'd sleep on his couch, eat out until I ran out of money and then switch to peanut butter.   Dave displayed great hospitality and it was always a treat to get that time with him. 
11. Online Greek 1 and 2-  I realize how strange this may sound, and that few would actually believe that I found the online form of the classes more challenging and rewarding than if I had been in the class.  Two reasons; first, in order to learn Greek I was completely dependent upon myself.  I couldn't lean on a merciful prof or a knowledgeable friend.  I had to study and know it for myself.  Second, technology can be a gift from above.  The websites that coincide with Mounce's textbook as well as some Greek vocab apps made the second semester a joy, and set me on a trajectory to love my studies in Greek.
12. God's fingerprints in scheduling- It may have taken me eight years to complete my degree, but I never lived in Dallas, and for seven of those years I had a full-time job.  In so many small ways, God's hands were at work in allowing the right courses to become available and for me to get in (even though often wait listed) into the courses I needed at just the right time.  The constant answers to prayer always humbled my heart as our Father worked out the finest of details.
13. God's provision of funds- Seminary is not cheap, nor do scholarships seem to be available to those who work full-time.  Despite the lack of financial assistance from the seminary, I graduated debt free.  This is an unimaginable gift and can only be attributed to God's grace and His working on the hearts of generous individuals who invested in my education.  I cannot convey my gratitude enough or as deeply as they deserve, but thank you.
14. Church Support at Countryside and McKinney- I can't express how gracious these two body of believers have been to me.  Early on at Countryside a deacon stood up in a congregational meeting to confirm that the church would pay for my seminary as long as I stayed on staff.  Their generosity provided for half of my courses to be covered, more than that their prayers, support, and graciousness with my schedule allowed me to devote time to my studies and improve as a pastor.  At McKinney, the constant support, asking questions, and encouraging words kept me going till the end of two years of commuting.  These individuals mean more than I could express and my debt to them is greater than they could imagine.
15. Taking a course with Jen- It seems ages ago, but prior to kids Jen audited a class with me, historical theology with Dr. Bingham!  The conversations that class sparked about life, faith, and culture continue to shape our relationship with one another and our believed role in the church and the community.   
16. Humility- I was told a story of Haddon Robinson, who would take first year seminary students and tell them, "Many of you think you have all the answers, but you don't even know the questions."  In many ways I walked away from seminary more aware of what I don't know and grateful for the insight it provided into those questions rather than just giving supposed answers.  
17. Camraderie of the preaching classes- Nothing can be more terrifying than standing before strangers and giving a sermon on a proverb.  What took place in those semesters was a real bond of friendship, respect, and admiration.  Preaching is a very personal act, particularly early on as we are developing security in ourselves and God's ability in us.  During the course of those semesters those strangers became co-laborers for the gospel.  Watching them develop their skill and the excitement to hear where God leads them is a highlight of this experience. 
18. Thinking Christianly- This was a favorite phrase of Dr. Bingham and something that I often consider throughout all of life, that my perspective must view each situation through the lens of Scripture, History, and the church.  This results in different politics, different educational philosophy, different family dynamics, etc.  
19. Diversity of DTS The seminary was not just ethnically diverse, but there was a great deal of theological diversity as well.  I can remember discussing issues of eternal security with a man who strongly believed a Christian could lose their salvation.  I can't say I had ever discussed the issue with someone so versed in Scripture or whose arguments were as theologically sound.  We tend to spend time with those who believe just like us, yet the seminary was a terrific place to rub shoulders with other Christ followers who come from different backgrounds or traditions.
20. Athanasius I can't say I honestly knew anything of Athanasius prior to attending DTS, but I quickly learned of this hero of the faith and the boldness with which he stood for orthodoxy and the truths of the gospel.  I admired him to such an extent that our son Athan is named after him, as it is our prayer that Athan will exhibit such boldness on behalf of the Lord as well.
21. Singing in class Early in my DTS days, particularly with Dr. Lightner and Dr. Waters, we would begin each class session with a hymn.  I loved and valued this blend of worship with academic study as it set the pace and purpose for the studies we were engaging in.
22. Todd 103 Almost every week long and weekend course I took in the early years was in this room.  I had my spot on the second to last row right next to the middle column.  Terrific insights came in that seat!
23. DTS Book Center In terms of bookstores I enjoy visiting, this has to be in my top 3.  Something about its architecture (it is a former Orthodox church) and the variety of books on theology, Bible, and practical ministry make this a place I always have to visit when I go back to campus.
24. Adoniram Judson Years ago I bought a biography on a number of famous missionaries.  I found a 400 page biography on Judson that was said to be the best, though I had no idea when I would sit down to read a biography of such length.  For WM101 we were assigned a biography and I figured it was the perfect time to read it and was I glad I did!  Judson's hardships and sacrifice for the gospel were awe-inspiring and a continual example I consider.
25. Acts 1:8 BE101 was the first class I took and listing observations of Acts 1:8 was the first assignment I had.  The verse will forever hold a special place in my heart and draw my attention and focus back to the skills I acquired while at DTS.
26. The Words and Works of Jesus Christ If I were to make a list of tough questions or passages from Scripture, at least half of them would be from the gospels.  J. Dwight Pentecost's class on the life of Christ and particularly his book entitled "The Words and Works of Jesus Christ" was an invaluable resource as I continue to study and seek to understand our Lord more fully.
27. Book of Hebrews I walked away from BE107 concluding that I needed to write an argument paper on every book of the Bible.  Not because it was easy, my argument paper on Hebrews was twenty-seven pages and took countless hours, but because of the way I grew from that study and the details about the book that stick with me to this day.  "Jesus is a superior person, priest, and has a superior program.  As a result we should endure in faith, hope, and love."  This statement sums up my outline of the book and reflects an admiration for Jesus I could have only found through the study of Hebrews.

On that first assignment I came out with 27 observations and figured it would only be right to come up with 27 observations here!  Thank you Dallas Seminary and all that made it possible.

Jay