In looking back at my first blog entry in July I realize I didn't really explain why I use the blog title "Rejoice In All Things" when the Philippians 4:4 scripture reference really says "Rejoice in the Lord Always. I say it again, Rejoice!" I would have rather titled this blog "Rejoice Always!", but the web address for that was already taken. Sadly that one looks like a dead blog, but alas once it's taken it's gone unless they should choose to cancel their account and that is not likely. So I rejoice in all things, which I intend to mean to rejoice under all circumstance. I would argue that it is synonymous with rejoicing always.
Maybe the bigger question, and one I have been discussing with my better half until now late into the wee hours of Thanksgiving morning, is the question of whether or not a Christian is really expected and supposed to be able to rejoice always? Even when bad things happen or times are tough or people are mean and inconsiderate?
One might argue that Philippians 4:4 doesn't really say "rejoice always", but "rejoice in the Lord always." Hmmm?! Is there really some subtle difference there?
My better half says there is a difference and that it doesn't mean that a person is always expected to be joyful, but I don't agree. And neither does John MacArthur as he writes in Part 4 of his Christian Joy series. In this lesson he starts out not with Philippians 4, but instead with 1 Thessalonians 15:16. A very short verse "Rejoice always" or some translations state "Always Rejoice" or "Be joyful always."
Is this really possible and how is this possible? MacArthur explains it from a biblical perspective for about an hour or about 15 pages of transcript so I will not repeat that here. In summay he begins by explaining that for a Christian to not be joyful always and in all circumstances is sin.
How is this possible? MacArthur concludes by explaining, "The joyful Christian thinks more of his Lord than he does his personal difficulties. The joyful Christian thinks more of his spiritual riches in Christ than his poverty on earth. The joyful Christian thinks more of his glorious eternal future than his present pain. And when you live like that, the command "rejoice always" becomes possible...not only possible, desirable."
John Piper discusses this topic of being joyful always and basically reaches the same conclusion in his blog at Is There Good Anxiety . He says that Paul "sees things in a larger perspective. He is not immobilized by his anxiety, nor is his anxiety always so strong as to squelch the joy that rises persistently from his eternal perspective on God's sovereign goodness."
I want to dig into this a lot more, but for now I think I understand that Christians are to focus on the bigger picture (God's perspective) and not on the small picture of our own human perspective. I am content with the notion that Christians are expected to by joyful in all situations and still be sympathetic and empathetic when others are sorrowful. And even when I don't feel joyful I can fall back on the promise of Philippians 4:13 that "I can do everything through him who gives me strength." Amen!
Thursday, November 22, 2007
Monday, November 12, 2007
What A Weekend I Had - Yoo Hoo!
This past weekend I had planned on doing some stuff around the house and yard, catching some musician friends performances and just generally enjoying time with my wife and kids. Unfortunately, my Mother decided it was time to test the airbags in her van by slamming into a left turn signal light support pole. So I spent Saturday and Sunday at the hospital visiting with her, my brother and sister, their kids, their kids kids and my wife and kids.
My Mom was blessed with God's protection (airbags, seat belts, collapsing car frame design and good samaritans). She only fractured her knee cap and suffered bumps and bruises from the airbags and seat belts, but otherwise appears to be fine; especially considering she's 81 years old.
The ortho-surgeon wired her patella back together and her doctor let her stay in the hospital a couple of days to keep an eye on her(she's getting out today) . She is enjoying the attention and the well deserved rest.
Her hospital room has been the life of the hospital's ortho floor with the comings and goings of all my Mom's friends and family. We had 15 or more people in her room at a time, about half of them children, so you can imagine the commotion we must have been.
Oh and about my other plans for the weekend; well I did go see me friends perform (David Howard and Sara Hickman) and they were great. My wife and kids went to see The Bee Movie, we rearranged the master and guest bedrooms like we've been wanting to do for a couple of months and also to make a place for my Mom to stay for a few days, but I didn't get to mow the grass or do my other house chores.
Thankfully the cooler Fall weather is not letting the grass grow very fast and I didn't want to do the other chores anyway. See, isn't God great!
My Mom was blessed with God's protection (airbags, seat belts, collapsing car frame design and good samaritans). She only fractured her knee cap and suffered bumps and bruises from the airbags and seat belts, but otherwise appears to be fine; especially considering she's 81 years old.The ortho-surgeon wired her patella back together and her doctor let her stay in the hospital a couple of days to keep an eye on her(she's getting out today) . She is enjoying the attention and the well deserved rest.
Her hospital room has been the life of the hospital's ortho floor with the comings and goings of all my Mom's friends and family. We had 15 or more people in her room at a time, about half of them children, so you can imagine the commotion we must have been.
Oh and about my other plans for the weekend; well I did go see me friends perform (David Howard and Sara Hickman) and they were great. My wife and kids went to see The Bee Movie, we rearranged the master and guest bedrooms like we've been wanting to do for a couple of months and also to make a place for my Mom to stay for a few days, but I didn't get to mow the grass or do my other house chores.
Thankfully the cooler Fall weather is not letting the grass grow very fast and I didn't want to do the other chores anyway. See, isn't God great!
Sunday, September 16, 2007
The Lord is the stronghold of my life, of whom shall I be afraid?
It has been a trying couple of weeks. Really just one week, but it seems like more.
I found out a month or so ago that my daughter is highly allergic to fire ant stings, anaphylactic shock allergic; stuff like heart palpatations, hives, nausea, burning ears and face and, the worst, closed airway. "Rejoice in the Lord always", O.k., if I hadn't been laid off in Virginia and got a new job in Texas we probably wouldn't have found out about it so for that I can rejoice, (grudgingly I have to admit).
So what was so bad about this week?
This past Monday, my daughter was walking to a class in a portable building at her high school and she had to go through a grassy area to get there. There had just been lots of rain and there was still standing water in the grass. Well, fire ants float, the next thing she knows she is feeling stinging all over her foot. Fire ants, and lots of them! Long story short, after two injections with her epi-pens at school and loads of IV Benadryl and Steroids at the ER she made it through alive. Rejoice again!
Unfortunately, the ongoing steroid medication wiped her out for the rest of the week and has caused her to have horrible bouts of anxiety and several sleepless nights for me and my wife. It appears she will be up to going back to school tomorrow, but is going to have quite a bit of work to make up.
I decided not to go into the other events of the week in detail, but suffice it to say that the #2 child missed 3 days of school too and we spent 3 hours the other night vaccinating ours and our neighbors chickens because of a bout of fowl pox that is going around here. Too much rain and too many mosquitos can spread bad bugs!
Since I was up with sick children it gave me some time to catch up on some reading. I read a non-fiction book called "Terrify No More", by Gary A. Haugen, president of International Justice Mission (IJM). It's about the efforts of IJM investigators who infiltrate a ring of brothels in Cambodia, where children are bought and sold as sex slaves, and gather evidence necessary to free many of the children and prosecute the perpetrators. I have to admit that I did not enjoy reading this book. Not because of any issues with the way it was written, but because of the depravity of the reality that there are people that would do such horrible things to another person, let alone a child. And it's not just the Cambodians who were depraved, but also the westerners, including Americans, that would pay money to be a part of it.
In one chapter of the book, the author tells of a girl, Elisabeth age 17, that had been "working" for 7-months in a brothel. Her story was especially sad because in her effort to make money for her family, she went with an aunt to a neighboring country to work in the food service industry, but was instead sold to the brothel. Elisabeth was an avid reader of the Bible and had a strong faith in God. During her little bits of free time while enslaved at the brothel she wrote bible verses on the wall of her room to help her hold onto her faith that she was not alone, but that God was with her, even in this terrible place.
After she was freed and living in a safe aftercare facility she wrote a familiar verse on her wall there, from Psalms 27:1, "The Lord is the stronghold of my life - of whom shall I be afraid?"
It's a humbling reminder that not only is it not all about me and my troubles, but that my troubles can seem so insignificant in light of those that are so less fortunate, like our children and other children in this world. It's a serious thing to have my child suffer from a life threatening allergy and wanting to and not immediately be able to move her out of harms way. At least there is comfort in knowing that "The Lord is the stronghold of my life - of whom shall I be afraid?" We will have to be careful until the allergy shots take affect and reduce the risk of a severe reaction. And we pray that God shows us what to do next. Maybe he opens a door for an opportunity to move to a fire ant free area or makes something else clear to us so that she can be free of the constant fear for her life from just walking and playing in the grass, like any kid is supposed to do.
It seems a strange comparison between a child being held captive in the sex trafficking industry and a child being held captive by a potential allergic reaction to an ant sting. However, both are in a life threatening situation that well-meaning adults around them are unable to immediately free them from. And both are having their childhood joys and freedoms taken away by no fault of their own.
All I know is that thankfully we are not alone in this battle.
I found out a month or so ago that my daughter is highly allergic to fire ant stings, anaphylactic shock allergic; stuff like heart palpatations, hives, nausea, burning ears and face and, the worst, closed airway. "Rejoice in the Lord always", O.k., if I hadn't been laid off in Virginia and got a new job in Texas we probably wouldn't have found out about it so for that I can rejoice, (grudgingly I have to admit).
So what was so bad about this week?
This past Monday, my daughter was walking to a class in a portable building at her high school and she had to go through a grassy area to get there. There had just been lots of rain and there was still standing water in the grass. Well, fire ants float, the next thing she knows she is feeling stinging all over her foot. Fire ants, and lots of them! Long story short, after two injections with her epi-pens at school and loads of IV Benadryl and Steroids at the ER she made it through alive. Rejoice again!
Unfortunately, the ongoing steroid medication wiped her out for the rest of the week and has caused her to have horrible bouts of anxiety and several sleepless nights for me and my wife. It appears she will be up to going back to school tomorrow, but is going to have quite a bit of work to make up.
I decided not to go into the other events of the week in detail, but suffice it to say that the #2 child missed 3 days of school too and we spent 3 hours the other night vaccinating ours and our neighbors chickens because of a bout of fowl pox that is going around here. Too much rain and too many mosquitos can spread bad bugs!
Since I was up with sick children it gave me some time to catch up on some reading. I read a non-fiction book called "Terrify No More", by Gary A. Haugen, president of International Justice Mission (IJM). It's about the efforts of IJM investigators who infiltrate a ring of brothels in Cambodia, where children are bought and sold as sex slaves, and gather evidence necessary to free many of the children and prosecute the perpetrators. I have to admit that I did not enjoy reading this book. Not because of any issues with the way it was written, but because of the depravity of the reality that there are people that would do such horrible things to another person, let alone a child. And it's not just the Cambodians who were depraved, but also the westerners, including Americans, that would pay money to be a part of it.
In one chapter of the book, the author tells of a girl, Elisabeth age 17, that had been "working" for 7-months in a brothel. Her story was especially sad because in her effort to make money for her family, she went with an aunt to a neighboring country to work in the food service industry, but was instead sold to the brothel. Elisabeth was an avid reader of the Bible and had a strong faith in God. During her little bits of free time while enslaved at the brothel she wrote bible verses on the wall of her room to help her hold onto her faith that she was not alone, but that God was with her, even in this terrible place.
After she was freed and living in a safe aftercare facility she wrote a familiar verse on her wall there, from Psalms 27:1, "The Lord is the stronghold of my life - of whom shall I be afraid?"
It's a humbling reminder that not only is it not all about me and my troubles, but that my troubles can seem so insignificant in light of those that are so less fortunate, like our children and other children in this world. It's a serious thing to have my child suffer from a life threatening allergy and wanting to and not immediately be able to move her out of harms way. At least there is comfort in knowing that "The Lord is the stronghold of my life - of whom shall I be afraid?" We will have to be careful until the allergy shots take affect and reduce the risk of a severe reaction. And we pray that God shows us what to do next. Maybe he opens a door for an opportunity to move to a fire ant free area or makes something else clear to us so that she can be free of the constant fear for her life from just walking and playing in the grass, like any kid is supposed to do.
It seems a strange comparison between a child being held captive in the sex trafficking industry and a child being held captive by a potential allergic reaction to an ant sting. However, both are in a life threatening situation that well-meaning adults around them are unable to immediately free them from. And both are having their childhood joys and freedoms taken away by no fault of their own.
All I know is that thankfully we are not alone in this battle.
1 The LORD is my light and my salvation—
whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the stronghold of my life—
of whom shall I be afraid?
2 When evil men advance against me
2 When evil men advance against me
to devour my flesh,
when my enemies and my foes attack me,
they will stumble and fall.
3 Though an army besiege me,
3 Though an army besiege me,
my heart will not fear;
though war break out against me,
even then will I be confident.
(Psalm 27:1-3)
Thursday, September 6, 2007
What About Those Annoying Interruptions?
O.k. so we're supposed to "rejoice in the Lord always". I had been planning on going out to a coffee house and listening to a musician coming in from another part of the country who may not ever be back again, but my kid's school decided to have open house that same night, at the same time. How am I supposed to rejoice over that?
C.S. Lewis writes, “There are no real interruptions. There is only the real life God brings us every day.”
Our children are never real inconveniences, but opportunities for us to go down unexpected paths for unknown reasons. But there are reasons, some we can determine and some only God knows about. It's in embracing that adventure of our family’s glorious interruptions that we can rejoice about if we are willing to give it a try.
Oh well, there will be other nights out and other good musicians at the coffee house. So I rejoice in the opportunity to spend some time with my child and see the work he's done at school and share accolades about him with his teacher.
C.S. Lewis writes, “There are no real interruptions. There is only the real life God brings us every day.”
Our children are never real inconveniences, but opportunities for us to go down unexpected paths for unknown reasons. But there are reasons, some we can determine and some only God knows about. It's in embracing that adventure of our family’s glorious interruptions that we can rejoice about if we are willing to give it a try.
Oh well, there will be other nights out and other good musicians at the coffee house. So I rejoice in the opportunity to spend some time with my child and see the work he's done at school and share accolades about him with his teacher.
Thursday, July 5, 2007
Greetings!
Welcome to my blog! I started this blog to see what this blogging thing is all about. I'm not sure the outcome of this will be, but I figure that as popular as blogging has become that I should try it for myself.
I chose the name "Rejoice In All Things" from one of my favorite Bible scripture passages, Phillipians 4:4-13. I enjoy reading this passage because no matter what is going on in my life, whether good or bad, this passage applies and helps turn sadness into joy and boastful pride into humility.
For ready reference I will provide the passage here:
4Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
8Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
10I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
- Phillipians 4:4- 13 (NIV)
By thinking of life's up and downs in this (the Lord's) frame of reference helps me to accept those things that are not enjoyable or comfortable and to avoid boasting when it appears things are going abundantly well.
The last sentence of each of the paragraphs provides a powerful message and brings comfort and stability when things are difficult.
I chose the name "Rejoice In All Things" from one of my favorite Bible scripture passages, Phillipians 4:4-13. I enjoy reading this passage because no matter what is going on in my life, whether good or bad, this passage applies and helps turn sadness into joy and boastful pride into humility.
For ready reference I will provide the passage here:
4Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
8Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
10I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
- Phillipians 4:4- 13 (NIV)
By thinking of life's up and downs in this (the Lord's) frame of reference helps me to accept those things that are not enjoyable or comfortable and to avoid boasting when it appears things are going abundantly well.
The last sentence of each of the paragraphs provides a powerful message and brings comfort and stability when things are difficult.
- "... the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
- "... the God of peace will be with you."
- "I can do everything through him who gives me strength. "
Maybe something I write here will be engaging and insightful, but maybe not. Hopefully, everything I share here will be edifying, uplifting and worthy of honor to our Father in heaven. I hope that you'll respond as well. Maybe you'll get a chance to see things through my eyes and maybe I'll get the same chance to see them through yours.
So until next time, "I will say it again: Rejoice!"
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
