What sort of good is for our Good

(disclaimer: This is a semi-confusing post and you have to take it real slow to understand what I’m saying.)

Have you ever been in a situation where you went through some interesting circumstances and then came out of it saying, “Wow I didn’t see it at the time, but that really turned out for my good!” For example, a guy and a girl get together through strange or awkward situations and after they get married the husband says, “Boy! even though it didn’t seem like it at the time, that really turned out for my good!” Or, how about this, “I didn’t study for the test, but despite my lameness, somehow it worked out because the test got moved today, thanks God, you’re working everything together for my good!” How about this one. “Hey I know you didn’t make the cut, but don’t worry about it, God is working things out together for your good. He’s got better plans for you yet.”

These are all illegitimate uses of Rom 8:28. Why? Because it confuses “Our good (little g)” with “our Good. (humongous G)” Paul is not just talking about any benefit, he is talking about ultimate and eternal benefit. Check it out. It should be pretty obvious.

“ And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.”
(Rom 8:28-30 NAS95S)

See the “For”? Paul is explaining what he means by “our good.” He has a specific meaning in mind and vs. 29-30 are the description. Paul makes it very clear that the good God has in store for us is a big picture “awesome”, not a little picture “doing swell.” The purpose and goal for every believer is to be fully conformed to the image of Christ in the state of glorification. That is the goal. That is our final destination. That is our ultimate Good. So then, if we are to be comforted by Rom 8:28, it should not be simply because God is watching our back. Though that is not untrue. We should be comforted because the limitless power of God is working within us to bring us into the state of Glory.

So if you want to enjoy the promise or encourage a friend with the promise of “He works together all things for our good,” it is necessary to lock your gaze on this Glory. Otherwise, you don’t understand the promise. And you don’t understand your “Good.” Rom 8:28 is an eschatological encouragement which derives its power from the sovereign will and power of God to bring it to pass. Your Good is not getting a break from homework right when you get sick (though that’s nice), Your Good is about getting eternal Glory.

I spent a long time laying in bed thinking about this last night before I knocked out. I finally simplified the thought into this brief statement.

The notion of “Our good” is determined by our goal, not by the state of each step. If we reach our goal, the journey will indeed have been for our good. If we do not reach the goal, then our journey will have been in vain and the “good” we enjoyed during our lifetime will have been worthless.

A sudden Realization

I woke up today a little late.  I had turned off the alarm (I never snooze) and had slept a few minutes too many.  So I threw back the covers and hopped off my bed.  Checked my email and looked over some of my homework.  I decided to blog a little bit because the night before I had trouble falling asleep because of this thought that kept pressing me concerning the passage, Rom 8:28.  I jumped in the shower after that and as I was showering contemplated if I had finished all the homework and if I was ready to take the test for the next chapters vocab.  It was about 9:15 by then and I figured it was about time to make breakfast if I was going to make it to school on time.  And then the sudden and most wonderful realization.

Today is Sunday.

(all smiles).

A new buddy

I caught a baby gecko in my apt.  It’s the size of the first digit of my pinky.  I think I’ll feed it mosquitos.

It’s a beautiful day

The temperature has dropped down to 78.  There’s a cool breeze sifting through the window and the smell of someone frying something awesome.  I’ve got the kettle on and it’ll start whistling soon.  I’m thinking a bowl of oatmeal will be the perfect brunch / pre-lunch snack.  Shane barnard is singing his heart out on the speakers and I’m feeling the joy of a clean conscience and a God-ward heart.  EBCT is having a welcome night tonight and I look forward to seeing my new found buddies again.  I’m still reveling in the strangeness and the the joy of having brothers and sisters of like mind here on the distant shores of Taiwan.

It’s morning’s like this that make me lean back, put my hands on my head and smile really, really obnoxiously.

I feel blessed beyond belief.

Weeping during Worship

I remember weeping almost every Sunday at Church my freshman and sophomore year in college. It was never because I was happy. Looking back, I think it was because there, under the prompting of the word and the atmosphere of heart felt worship, I simply became utterly overwhelmed.

Usually, I felt a deep pang of grief. The cause of which I am still not exactly certain. I can describe it a little bit but I can’t really land on one clean cut conclusion as to what was the cause. I remember that there were many times when I would suddenly and painfully know and feel that I was not the man I should have been, that I was pathetically weak, and an unworthy example for Christ. The thought “God I’m so sorry, God I’m so sorry…” would repeat over and over again in my head until I either cried myself out or was forced to refocus on something else such as the beginning of the sermon. Other times, I simply could not remain composed before the reality of a Holy God. Just to be present before the God of Israel and to know it, was too much for me.

I used to wonder after every Sunday, if weeping so idiotically like that was right. At first I always walked away skeptical of myself, thinking perhaps I had just been emotionally charged by the music or the strength of the pastor’s voice. Was I still stuck in my charismatic past? Or was my grief legitimate and God-honoring? To be honest, I still wonder about it. But one thing I know, and have concluded. Grief in worship is Biblical. My experience is not foreign to the men of Scripture who when confronted with the greatness of God fell and wept or trembled in fear. Abraham, Isaiah, Job, David, Paul, Peter … the lot.

What’s very curious about it all though, is that through the fear, through the grief, and through the tears, deep inside my heart would soar. Though the Holiness of God was unbearable, inside somewhere buried beneath it all, it felt like I was coming awake to the brightness of the Sun. I don’t really understand it, even today. How could I be so joyful and yet so sorrowful all in one moment.

shrug.

Anyways, I miss it. I remember Beland used to cry too when they sang “Prize of my Life” and Steve would always be taking off his glasses and wiping his eyes. Sometimes, I wonder what they were thinking…

Homosexuality

Homosexuality is rarely dealt with in detail among conservative evangelicals.

DGM does a great job covering it. Find sermons, articles, and more here.

For all those who struggle in this regard. Be encouraged, you are not alone, and the fight can be won.

“Some people think you’re not really saved if you still struggle with homosexual desire, but I don’t believe that’s true. All Christians struggle with the temptation to sin. We need to realize that a salvation experience is not a pre-frontal lobotomy or a substitute for exercising personal discipline. God does bring change, but not always instantaneously. And contrary to some popular belief, godly change does not always come about without pain or struggle.” – Joe Hallet who came out of the homosexual life by the power of Christ and lived faithfully with AIDS, and eventually with his wife, until his death in 1997.

My Favorite Shoes of All Time

1. THE OG kicks:  Nike Ace’83 (Freshman Year – Present)

2. The super sleek super sweet Runners: Nike Free 5.0 Lance Edition (Junior Year – Present)

3. The simple yet spectacular Classic: Puma El Rey “US vs. Them” (Present)

4. The Backups: Vans Prison Issue #23 Black (Present in the states, half size too small)

A blog about girls

Okay. Deep breath. Don’t freak out. -_-

Here we go. Men are suckers for looks. We admit it… okay, I admit it on behalf of all of us. And until today, I couldn’t let that factor go. It just seemed so obvious, so integral. Nobody wants to get married to someone they aren’t attracted to right?

right. No qualms there.

But, more and more these days. Especially as I’ve been walking around in Taiwan with a thousand relatively good looking people walking around me, I have come to the conviction that looks really are empty. I see people try so hard to attain physical beauty, or strain their wallets to preserve it, but it’s gotta go someday. There’s just no stopping it. Okay, Solomon, I know you wrote it a couple thousand years back, but I just didn’t buy it for some reason. So here I am. Finally agreeing. Beauty is indeed vain. In other words, it amounts to nothing. Attraction should begin with the interaction of hearts first and foremost… and looks?…well, that’s a bonus.

Here’s one way to simplify it, which I think everyone will agree with (change the gender accordingly): it’s far better to marry a girl who you love talking to because of the beauty of her heart than to marry a girl who you love talking to because of the make of her face.

I figure the former beauty will outlast the latter, the former conversation will outlast the latter, and more importantly, the former love will be deeper than the latter.

“ *An excellent wife who can find?
She is far more precious than jewels.
The heart of her husband trusts in her,
and he will have no lack of gain.”
(Prov 31:10-11 ESV)

(PS. For all you mischievous instigators, nothing cataclysmic happened today to cause me to write this entry. The thought just finally settled in my head, that’s all, you lamers.)

Typhoon Aftermath

according to the reports, 200 trees uprooted, 17 injured, at least 2 dead, one crushed by the collapse of his own house.

I’m alive and doing fine.

Why didn’t I die? I don’t know. Mercy I think.

A Typhoon is an Asian Hurricane.

The wind is blasting the rain sideways outside. On top of the roaring wind you can also hear the shrill whistle of air slipping through small spaces, the heavy clanking of loose metal and the thick flapping of unpinned tarps.  I stepped out into the open street just a little while ago to enjoy the breeze, it’s not everyday that a typhoon comes knocking on your door.  The power is exhilirating.  You can actually see the sheets of rain travel across the ground in linear currents one after another.  It’s as if the ocean has been lifted into the clouds and turned sideways so you can see the ebb and flow of the tide hitting the concrete.

Anyways, it’s pretty exciting stuff.  A bunch of my parents friend’s called me to make sure I was okay and that I had food in the house, and always followed their questions with the phrase “are you scared?” “No.”

I love it.  pure joy.  God is just wiggling his little pinky in the clouds to show us how massive his strength is. God is fulfilling his word today.

“  Praise the LORD from the earth,
Sea monsters and all deeps;
Fire and hail, snow and clouds;
Stormy wind, fulfilling His word;”
(Psa 148:7-8 NAS95S)