In It, Not of It has moved! I've decided to refocus the blog a little bit and change the layout/format/purpose/etc. If you want to continue to follow, please go to In It, Not of It.
Thanks to all and God bless!
- MB
Monday, September 19, 2011
Saturday, September 10, 2011
On The Subject of Grace and Conviction
We operate our churches (and our lives) today with the idea that there must be a balance between grace and conviction, intended to accommodate the desires of the church body (and ourselves). When grace becomes too prevalent, when we've taken too much advantage, we emphasize conviction, usually in the form of self-defeat or legalistic response (more discipline is the answer!).
The opposite is true as well. When we find ourselves and our church becoming too dependent upon our rules and regulations, we fight back with "grace." Typically "cheap grace," (to cite Dietrich Bonhoeffer) that disregards truth for the sake of acceptance.
We must understand that grace and conviction do not counter-act each other. We cannot be misled into believing that the answer is balance. If we truly believe in the mystery and sovereignty of our Lord and Creator, we should see that both must be fully present at all times, existing coequally and concurrently.
I pray that we would not continue to make the detrimental mistake of attacking truth with truth, and instead remember that truth is a confirmation, not a weapon.
The opposite is true as well. When we find ourselves and our church becoming too dependent upon our rules and regulations, we fight back with "grace." Typically "cheap grace," (to cite Dietrich Bonhoeffer) that disregards truth for the sake of acceptance.
We must understand that grace and conviction do not counter-act each other. We cannot be misled into believing that the answer is balance. If we truly believe in the mystery and sovereignty of our Lord and Creator, we should see that both must be fully present at all times, existing coequally and concurrently.
I pray that we would not continue to make the detrimental mistake of attacking truth with truth, and instead remember that truth is a confirmation, not a weapon.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Dr. Terry Aber
Dr. Aber is a fairly unassuming man. He sat in the front corner of the classroom, almost out of sight, unobtrusive, but a humorous quip from time to time, and only in response to the speaker that evening. Dr. Aber was not the keynote speaker, but it was almost as though he were keenly aware of the "spotlight zone" for the man holding the floor, and made a conscious effort to stay out of it. More on that in a moment...
The lesson that evening was on internships, a requirement for the Seminary but a perk in my personal opinion. I sat in rapt attention, hanging on every word, the countless opportunities for ministry laid out before me, and I had an inspiring and dangerous thought. I wanted to do it all.
I approached Dr. Aber immediately after class, telling him how excited I was for this portion of my seminary training and explaining all of the things in which I am currently involved. I was hoping for a discussion on logistics of full-time work, school, ministry involvement, and an internship. I received much more. I am so thankful for those blessed with a gift to answer the questions that we do not ask.
I sense that Dr. Aber saw much of himself in me, and perhaps this is why his counsel was so poignant. Regardless, it was quite convicting. I explained to him that I wanted to do all of ministry. One-on-one, small group, worship ministry, men's ministry, youth ministry, preaching, teaching, missions, etc.
"Y' know, there are a lot of things I can do pretty well. But there are only a few things I can do exceptionally well." Dr. Aber stated quite plainly. "We're all bricks in the building up of the body of Christ. There was a time when I thought I was all of the bricks. But it turns out I'm just one." - the act of citing Scripture in conversation without citing Scripture is, to me, one of the clearest indicators of a life dedicated to living out God's Word. It has been poured over so much for so long that it has become not only a way of life, but a way of thought. This is what we should strive for.
"What do you mean?" I asked as if I couldn't already feel the conviction in my bones.
"Matt, you're not going to like this... but God doesn't need you. He wants you, but He doesn't need you. But that also means He has a very specific place for you. And there are two types of people when it comes to God's will. There are those who don't do anything. They are so content with waiting on God, you have to get a bulldozer behind them to get them into God's will. And then there are people like you. So eager to be in God's will that they're not willing to wait on Him. Moses had to wait 40 years. Are you ready to do that?"
I couldn't respond. I just stared at the floor. I could feel conviction washing over me, and despite Dr. Aber's words, I looked in his eyes and saw genuine love and patience. This was his brick.
You see, once he finally came to peace with the fact that God had him where He wanted him, he was able to see where he fit. I would find out later, however, that finding his brick was a painful process that took 30 years. He urged me not to be so stubborn. This is a man who truly understands the necessity of allowing God to reveal Himself to us.
"Matt, there are a lot of things you're going to be good at, but can I give you one thing to focus on?"
"Absolutely."
"Become an expert at your relationship with your Savior."
We walked out to our cars together, his statement still ringing in my ears. We shook hands and as we walked away he asked (himself, not me), "Now where did I park?" Dr. Aber had found his brick. This was just another day, another conversation, another student. But his impact will not be forgotten.
"Good night, Dr. Aber," I said as I walked to my car.
"Terry," he corrected.
"Terry."
Terry, indeed.
The lesson that evening was on internships, a requirement for the Seminary but a perk in my personal opinion. I sat in rapt attention, hanging on every word, the countless opportunities for ministry laid out before me, and I had an inspiring and dangerous thought. I wanted to do it all.
I approached Dr. Aber immediately after class, telling him how excited I was for this portion of my seminary training and explaining all of the things in which I am currently involved. I was hoping for a discussion on logistics of full-time work, school, ministry involvement, and an internship. I received much more. I am so thankful for those blessed with a gift to answer the questions that we do not ask.
I sense that Dr. Aber saw much of himself in me, and perhaps this is why his counsel was so poignant. Regardless, it was quite convicting. I explained to him that I wanted to do all of ministry. One-on-one, small group, worship ministry, men's ministry, youth ministry, preaching, teaching, missions, etc.
"Y' know, there are a lot of things I can do pretty well. But there are only a few things I can do exceptionally well." Dr. Aber stated quite plainly. "We're all bricks in the building up of the body of Christ. There was a time when I thought I was all of the bricks. But it turns out I'm just one." - the act of citing Scripture in conversation without citing Scripture is, to me, one of the clearest indicators of a life dedicated to living out God's Word. It has been poured over so much for so long that it has become not only a way of life, but a way of thought. This is what we should strive for.
"What do you mean?" I asked as if I couldn't already feel the conviction in my bones.
"Matt, you're not going to like this... but God doesn't need you. He wants you, but He doesn't need you. But that also means He has a very specific place for you. And there are two types of people when it comes to God's will. There are those who don't do anything. They are so content with waiting on God, you have to get a bulldozer behind them to get them into God's will. And then there are people like you. So eager to be in God's will that they're not willing to wait on Him. Moses had to wait 40 years. Are you ready to do that?"
I couldn't respond. I just stared at the floor. I could feel conviction washing over me, and despite Dr. Aber's words, I looked in his eyes and saw genuine love and patience. This was his brick.
You see, once he finally came to peace with the fact that God had him where He wanted him, he was able to see where he fit. I would find out later, however, that finding his brick was a painful process that took 30 years. He urged me not to be so stubborn. This is a man who truly understands the necessity of allowing God to reveal Himself to us.
"Matt, there are a lot of things you're going to be good at, but can I give you one thing to focus on?"
"Absolutely."
"Become an expert at your relationship with your Savior."
We walked out to our cars together, his statement still ringing in my ears. We shook hands and as we walked away he asked (himself, not me), "Now where did I park?" Dr. Aber had found his brick. This was just another day, another conversation, another student. But his impact will not be forgotten.
"Good night, Dr. Aber," I said as I walked to my car.
"Terry," he corrected.
"Terry."
Terry, indeed.
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
My Utmost for His Highest
As an assignment for school, we have been tasked with reading one daily devotional from Oswald Chambers' My Utmost For His Highest, at least 4 days a week for the entirety of the semester. I imagine that many of my posts will include revelation from my quiet times with the Lord, but I suppose I can get the ball rolling with the following entry from my notes on the August 29th devotional:
As I read the devotional for today, I’m reminded of the fast I had the privilege of engaging in this past weekend. There are several challenges that have presented themselves recently: finances, my quiet times, my prayer life, and my job, though they all seem to be closely interrelated.
I was struggling recently to see the fruit of my disciplines and as I began to dwell on that fact, my time in the Word began to suffer, taking my prayer life hostage, as well. Seeming only to add insult to injury, my Brothers in Christ, the members of my accountability group, were experiencing incredible things in their walks. The Name of Christ and the glory of God were being spread to new friends in ways that I had not previously seen, while I stood patiently on the sidelines wondering when I would get to participate.
While this was not the initial catalyst for my fast, a long talk with a close brother eased my anxiety about these situations, and the fast no longer seemed necessary. But I had given my word to God, so I decided to continue. When I returned home from work on Friday, barely 20 hours into my 3-day fast (planned, but not set in stone), the family I live with was preparing a large meal for several people that were coming over that evening. Meals like these were constant throughout the weekend. Feasts would be a more appropriate name.
On a walk with another brother on Saturday evening, we were discussing God’s constant and current work in our lives and I remarked, praise God, that perhaps the lesson in this fast was to find contentment in the sustenance of only the Lord, even when there is a feast placed before you. Many of us would see the feast and glorify God for His goodness and abundance, but are we willing to rely solely on Him and say no to the feast? I’m not implying that we should not enjoy the abundance of the Lord, but by all means we must be obedient to His will first. As simple as the revelation may have been, by the grace of our Creator and the power of the Holy Spirit, the lesson learned was this: we must not rely on fruit, but on faith; for faith is not a feeling, but a choice we enter into daily.
Welcome
Let me start by saying this: I don't journal. Not well, anyway.
I've been told and been telling for years of the importance of journaling. I've tried and tried and tried. Sort of. I've been guilty of the half-hearted attempt and very quick give-up. That being said, don't be surprised if there are large gaps in my posts.
I love the Lord. We'll start there. As this experiment progresses, you will learn more of my interests, my passions, my short-comings, and much more. But I cannot move forward any further without a goal and a vision for this experiment.
It is my hope and prayer that as you read this and learn about my walk with Christ, my triumphs and failures, that you will come to understand why I believe what I believe. Perhaps, in time, pieces of my walk will assist you with yours. And I pray that the same is true for me with yours.
With the grace, peace and love that comes only from the mercy of our Creator and Sustainer, I say "Welcome."
I've been told and been telling for years of the importance of journaling. I've tried and tried and tried. Sort of. I've been guilty of the half-hearted attempt and very quick give-up. That being said, don't be surprised if there are large gaps in my posts.
I love the Lord. We'll start there. As this experiment progresses, you will learn more of my interests, my passions, my short-comings, and much more. But I cannot move forward any further without a goal and a vision for this experiment.
It is my hope and prayer that as you read this and learn about my walk with Christ, my triumphs and failures, that you will come to understand why I believe what I believe. Perhaps, in time, pieces of my walk will assist you with yours. And I pray that the same is true for me with yours.
With the grace, peace and love that comes only from the mercy of our Creator and Sustainer, I say "Welcome."
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