Hi Kids,
What a couple of weeks it has been! First, we had the privilege of Jim Elliff ministering the Word to our church. Do you remember Mr. Elliff? He brought his son Bryan along as well. Of all that we appreciated about Jim's ministry to us (and there were many things!), we especially appreciated his humility. Luke, I hope to be as Godly of an example for you as Jim seems to be for his son. Something else really struck me about Jim's preaching: I have had the privilege of hearing Alistair Begg, John Piper, John MacArthur, Mark Dever, and many other fine men preach in person, but Jim has to be the best I have ever heard at communicating truths that are hard for humans to accept (sovereign election, regeneration precedes conversion, etc.) in a very patient and disarming way. Oh how I hope you subject yourselves to a preacher that declares the Word with passion, a preacher who declares the whole counsel of God, but a preacher without a spirit of 'meanness or arrogance.' Consider Titus 1:7-8, "For an overseer, as God's steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined." Oh how I pray that I am that kind of man! If I'm still alive when you are reading this, would you please pray for me to that end?
Last weekend, we went up to see Granddad and Grandma Burchett, and we also got to see Kevin, Vicki, Austin, and Kaleb (along with other family). Katie, you think Austin is hilarious! It was a fun trip, and then we made it back to be with our church and guests on Resurrection Sunday (which is normally a good thing when you're the pastor!). Luke, you stayed home with Mom on Sunday because you had a fever. Katie, you came with me early, and then I handed you off to Mrs. Bumgarner and Mrs. Parry--two Godly saints, indeed! Where would the church in America be without selfless women like these? It's a scary thought. Give thanks to God for Christian women!
Monday night, your mother and I had the privilege of going out to eat with a missionary couple, and their daughter stayed back and watched you. Time spent with missionaries is time well-spent, in my opinion. What stories! What faith! What a vision of God and His power and grace they have!
Katie, you ended up getting the fever Monday and we think you are finally over it today (Wed.). Your mother is surely ready to get out of this house (!), but she loves to take care of you two. Tonight, we had a very good prayer meeting with the church--many people prayed, and I sensed a real reverence for God and a real genuineness in the prayers.
It's after 11, so I must get to bed. Tomorrow, after many hours of study already this week, I will attempt to write a sermon that is faithful to the meaning of Mark 4:35-41 and at the same time addresses the dear people God has entrusted to my care. I love you Katie and Luke.
May the Lord Bless You and Keep You,
Daddy
Wednesday, April 19, 2006
Whew!
Monday, April 03, 2006
Sleeping Beauty
Dear Kids,
Someday, I will write a letter (maybe several letters) reminding you of why I married your mother. Today, I'll just share with you a brief story from the time when I was courting your mom and wondering whether or not she was "the one." I hope this story brings a smile to your face.
During college, your mother and I went for a weekend visit to Granddad and Grandma Burchett's. Mom and I were very excited about each other, but this weekend seemed to be an important couple of days in determining the future of our relationship... You see, this was going to be the first time that Mom spent around my extended family (Grandma's side of the family). There would be aunts and uncles and cousins, a very friendly bunch who truly enjoy getting together for a large meal and an extended time of sitting around chit-chatting. However, along with the genuine friendliness came strong opinions, sometimes heated banter, and occassionally ruthless teasing! How would your mom handle such a situation? What would your mother do in such a setting? What did she do? She slept! That's right, as the evening progressed, and the opinions started flowing, and the banter heightened, and the teasing persisted, I looked over at your mom on the couch and I couldn't believe her eyes-they were shut!!! So much for the pressure of meeting the extended family!
As I contemplated Sleeping Beauty, I thought to myself, "If she can come into this environment and be so comfortable that she's willing to take a nap, maybe there's something to this gal." There was, and there is! God has been so kind to me, kids, in giving me your mother.
With Love,
Daddy
Someday, I will write a letter (maybe several letters) reminding you of why I married your mother. Today, I'll just share with you a brief story from the time when I was courting your mom and wondering whether or not she was "the one." I hope this story brings a smile to your face.
During college, your mother and I went for a weekend visit to Granddad and Grandma Burchett's. Mom and I were very excited about each other, but this weekend seemed to be an important couple of days in determining the future of our relationship... You see, this was going to be the first time that Mom spent around my extended family (Grandma's side of the family). There would be aunts and uncles and cousins, a very friendly bunch who truly enjoy getting together for a large meal and an extended time of sitting around chit-chatting. However, along with the genuine friendliness came strong opinions, sometimes heated banter, and occassionally ruthless teasing! How would your mom handle such a situation? What would your mother do in such a setting? What did she do? She slept! That's right, as the evening progressed, and the opinions started flowing, and the banter heightened, and the teasing persisted, I looked over at your mom on the couch and I couldn't believe her eyes-they were shut!!! So much for the pressure of meeting the extended family!
As I contemplated Sleeping Beauty, I thought to myself, "If she can come into this environment and be so comfortable that she's willing to take a nap, maybe there's something to this gal." There was, and there is! God has been so kind to me, kids, in giving me your mother.
With Love,
Daddy
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
Believing Parents and the Grace of God
Dear Children,
On a few occassions, I have had the opportunity to counsel individuals who are contemplating giving up on Christ and Christianity thinking "maybe I only believe this because that's what my parents believe, and if I would have been born into a family of a different 'religious' persuasion, perhaps that's the way I would have gone," almost as if it is a burden having parents that believe in the exclusivity of Jesus Christ as the only way of salvation. In those situations, after being as sure as possible that the individual's parents are true believers in the Biblical Gospel, I then try to point the distressed individual to the loving grace of God, that though he in fact could have been born into a family that hates Christ, he was born into a family that loves Christ, and how that is clear-cut evidence of the grace of God at work in his life.
"How so," the individual normally asks.
"Because you have been born into a family that, by the grace of God, knows that Jesus Christ is the only way to God."
"How do you know He's the only way to God?"
"Because Jesus said so Himself in John 14:6, 'I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.' To say such a thing, he was either a crazy man telling lies, or He is indeed Lord and therefore the Son of God who came from heaven, became man (while remaining God), lived a life of perfect obedience to God's law, and became a worthy substitute for sinners on the cross, bearing their sins and facing the fury of a sin-hating God for all who would ever repent and believe in Christ."
I continue by saying something like this, "So the way I see it, you have been born to parents whom God has been pleased to open their minds and hearts to see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ! Don't turn your back on such undeserved grace! God, in His immense mercy, has saved your parents (or mom, or dad, or guardian, etc.). Sure, God could have witheld His mercy from them, and you could have been born into a family that has no care for Christ or His church, but consider what God has done for you in putting you into such a family, as imperfect as they are, yet saved by grace. You've heard the Gospel from them, you've heard that the crucified and resurected Jesus is the only means of forgiveness and reconciliation with your Creator, so think of it this way: What a wonder that God has provided a home for you in which that is believed and taught! You should not despise your parents beliefs. Instead, give thanks to God for His massive grace in saving them and revealing Himself through them, and then consider the claims and cross of Christ, and turn from your sins today and follow Him."
Kids, your mother and I are followers of the Lord Jesus Christ. You know this by now, but maybe you wonder 'why'? Was it ultimately because we believed in Christ? Well, we are 'believers,' but the reason we are 'believers' is because God first loved us and called us by His grace (Gal. 1:16). It was an effective, saving call, thanks be to God! As you look back on your childhood, and all of the Truth that we have sought to teach you, I hope you will remember at least a couple of things: Mom and Dad were sinners (that one should be easy!), and Mom and Dad loved this Savior named Jesus whom they said was there only hope of salvation from their sins...
I hear you asking, "Where are you going with this, Dad?" Here: If you ever begin to think that perhaps you believe the way we believe because that's all you've ever heard, and you start to doubt Christ is the real deal, then remember that God has been gracious in giving you parents who have been the recipients of His undeserved riches in Christ. Then what? Consider the claims of Christ yourself and contemplate the cross of Christ and seek the Lord while He may be found, and don't turn your back on God's grace in Christ, but turn to God in repentance and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. Of course, don't believe it just because we believe it--believe in the Gospel because it is true!
And please hear me clearly: It's not that you've been born to great parents (although, in my estimation, you do have a great mother!), but you've been born to parents with a great and merciful God Who has withheld His wrath against them because their sins were on Christ at the cross and His righteousness was credited to them when they turned from their sinful selves and trusted in Christ alone for salvation. God has been gracious to your mother and me in saving us, God has been gracious to you because you get to see and experience desperate, pathetic, unworthy sinners saved by grace through faith in the One who is "the way, and the truth, and the life," and God will be merciful to you if you will rest in Christ alone for salvation.
Put simply, salvation, and all of the circumstances surrounding the rescue of a sinner, is a sovereign work of God, and in His sovereignty and mercy you are the kids of sinful people saved by grace. If you are yet to count the cost and follow Christ, don't turn your back on such undeserved grace! God is the holy Creator, we are rotten sinners, but Christ is a glorious Savior. Call upon the Lord to save you, and He will. And if you are already a follower of Jesus Christ at the time you are reading this, then persevere in trust and repentance until the end!
I love you dearly, kids!
Because of Sovereign Grace,
Dad
On a few occassions, I have had the opportunity to counsel individuals who are contemplating giving up on Christ and Christianity thinking "maybe I only believe this because that's what my parents believe, and if I would have been born into a family of a different 'religious' persuasion, perhaps that's the way I would have gone," almost as if it is a burden having parents that believe in the exclusivity of Jesus Christ as the only way of salvation. In those situations, after being as sure as possible that the individual's parents are true believers in the Biblical Gospel, I then try to point the distressed individual to the loving grace of God, that though he in fact could have been born into a family that hates Christ, he was born into a family that loves Christ, and how that is clear-cut evidence of the grace of God at work in his life.
"How so," the individual normally asks.
"Because you have been born into a family that, by the grace of God, knows that Jesus Christ is the only way to God."
"How do you know He's the only way to God?"
"Because Jesus said so Himself in John 14:6, 'I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.' To say such a thing, he was either a crazy man telling lies, or He is indeed Lord and therefore the Son of God who came from heaven, became man (while remaining God), lived a life of perfect obedience to God's law, and became a worthy substitute for sinners on the cross, bearing their sins and facing the fury of a sin-hating God for all who would ever repent and believe in Christ."
I continue by saying something like this, "So the way I see it, you have been born to parents whom God has been pleased to open their minds and hearts to see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ! Don't turn your back on such undeserved grace! God, in His immense mercy, has saved your parents (or mom, or dad, or guardian, etc.). Sure, God could have witheld His mercy from them, and you could have been born into a family that has no care for Christ or His church, but consider what God has done for you in putting you into such a family, as imperfect as they are, yet saved by grace. You've heard the Gospel from them, you've heard that the crucified and resurected Jesus is the only means of forgiveness and reconciliation with your Creator, so think of it this way: What a wonder that God has provided a home for you in which that is believed and taught! You should not despise your parents beliefs. Instead, give thanks to God for His massive grace in saving them and revealing Himself through them, and then consider the claims and cross of Christ, and turn from your sins today and follow Him."
Kids, your mother and I are followers of the Lord Jesus Christ. You know this by now, but maybe you wonder 'why'? Was it ultimately because we believed in Christ? Well, we are 'believers,' but the reason we are 'believers' is because God first loved us and called us by His grace (Gal. 1:16). It was an effective, saving call, thanks be to God! As you look back on your childhood, and all of the Truth that we have sought to teach you, I hope you will remember at least a couple of things: Mom and Dad were sinners (that one should be easy!), and Mom and Dad loved this Savior named Jesus whom they said was there only hope of salvation from their sins...
I hear you asking, "Where are you going with this, Dad?" Here: If you ever begin to think that perhaps you believe the way we believe because that's all you've ever heard, and you start to doubt Christ is the real deal, then remember that God has been gracious in giving you parents who have been the recipients of His undeserved riches in Christ. Then what? Consider the claims of Christ yourself and contemplate the cross of Christ and seek the Lord while He may be found, and don't turn your back on God's grace in Christ, but turn to God in repentance and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. Of course, don't believe it just because we believe it--believe in the Gospel because it is true!
And please hear me clearly: It's not that you've been born to great parents (although, in my estimation, you do have a great mother!), but you've been born to parents with a great and merciful God Who has withheld His wrath against them because their sins were on Christ at the cross and His righteousness was credited to them when they turned from their sinful selves and trusted in Christ alone for salvation. God has been gracious to your mother and me in saving us, God has been gracious to you because you get to see and experience desperate, pathetic, unworthy sinners saved by grace through faith in the One who is "the way, and the truth, and the life," and God will be merciful to you if you will rest in Christ alone for salvation.
Put simply, salvation, and all of the circumstances surrounding the rescue of a sinner, is a sovereign work of God, and in His sovereignty and mercy you are the kids of sinful people saved by grace. If you are yet to count the cost and follow Christ, don't turn your back on such undeserved grace! God is the holy Creator, we are rotten sinners, but Christ is a glorious Savior. Call upon the Lord to save you, and He will. And if you are already a follower of Jesus Christ at the time you are reading this, then persevere in trust and repentance until the end!
I love you dearly, kids!
Because of Sovereign Grace,
Dad
Saturday, March 25, 2006
An Explanation
Dear Children,
I am quite uncertain at what age you will be reading this, but here is something that is absolutely certain: You are a gift from God to your mother and me, and we are blessed to have you in our quiver (Ps. 127:3-5). God has given you to us, so now we are responsible to give God to you. Of course, as you read this, you already know we have tried to do this, and how often we have failed... Nevertheless, by God's grace, we are seeking to bring you up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord, and we are praying to God that He would be pleased to make your hearts good soil for the seed of the Gospel (I hope by the time you are reading this, you are already bearing fruit in your life for God's glory, but if not, won't you turn from your sin and trust in Christ alone! Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. He died for sinners just like you. He is the resurrected Lord. Repent and Believe in Christ. Take up your cross and follow Him before it's too late.).
As I contemplate my God-given responsibilities as your father, I recognize that writing to you in a public forum does not rank too highly. My responsibilties to you are, of course, in the home and church through various means that I hope you are quite familiar with by now: family worship, corporate worship, scripture memory (thank your mother!), questions & answers (Katie, you know more sound theology at age 3 than I did at age 25--all "for God's glory"!), "Daddy Time", various teaching opportunities that occur in God's providence, showing you how a man is to love one woman, showing you and teaching you how to love God and neighbor, showing you how to love the bride of Christ, etc. (I know you're reading that and can remember far too many times that I have fallen short, and if there is any bitterness in you as you read this, would you please forgive me?)
So with those responsibilties already established, I began thinking how else I could sharpen you, and how I might be used to instruct you in the Lord even if I'm not alive anymore. Then, just the other day, I was thinking about a scenario that I can't even remember, but I do remember thinking to myself, "I hope to teach Luke the truth about this," and then I said, "Why don't I write him a letter," and then I said, "How about writing a blog to my kids in which I teach them and share with them biblical convictions I hope they embrace, and share with them stories from my life." Thus, Sharpening Arrows was born.
You might be wondering, "Why a blog and not just personal letters?" Good question. I wrestled with that one as well, and decided to do it this way for a few reasons.
1. I need help. Although I am writing to you, by letting others listen in, I am opening myself up to correction. Everything I write, apart from Scripture, is subject to correction (stop laughing and shaking your head in the affirmative!). I hope there will be old friends and new friends who will come along and help me out. Kids, we need to receive correction. "The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice" (Proverbs 12:15).
2. I hope the Lord might use some of what I say to help other parents who might be reading what I write. As I type that, I'm tempted to delete it because I don't feel like I have much to offer, but I'll let it stand. "Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another" (Proverbs 27:17).
3. I'm praying that the Lord might use some of the content of these letters and the links provided at the blog (which are not there yet because your dad is clueless as to how to make that happen) to teach any non-Christians the Gospel, and that some, hearing that "in Christ God was reconciling the world to Himself" (2 Cor. 5:19), will come to Christ.
Obviously, my intention is not to write anything to you 'in public' that needs to be dealt with 'in private.' I simply want to teach and share. Sometimes, what I write will be pure teaching, other times I will share a personal story from my life (Katie, already at age 3 you are wondering, "What does daddy do all day 'at work'?"). Without a doubt, what I write will surely be boring to many, but that doesn't matter because I'm not writing to 'many,' but to you. I hope you are not bored! I love you, kids, and I pray that God's blessing will be upon my writing and your reading, or it will all be in vain (Ps. 127:1).
Sincerely Yours,
Daddy
I am quite uncertain at what age you will be reading this, but here is something that is absolutely certain: You are a gift from God to your mother and me, and we are blessed to have you in our quiver (Ps. 127:3-5). God has given you to us, so now we are responsible to give God to you. Of course, as you read this, you already know we have tried to do this, and how often we have failed... Nevertheless, by God's grace, we are seeking to bring you up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord, and we are praying to God that He would be pleased to make your hearts good soil for the seed of the Gospel (I hope by the time you are reading this, you are already bearing fruit in your life for God's glory, but if not, won't you turn from your sin and trust in Christ alone! Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. He died for sinners just like you. He is the resurrected Lord. Repent and Believe in Christ. Take up your cross and follow Him before it's too late.).
As I contemplate my God-given responsibilities as your father, I recognize that writing to you in a public forum does not rank too highly. My responsibilties to you are, of course, in the home and church through various means that I hope you are quite familiar with by now: family worship, corporate worship, scripture memory (thank your mother!), questions & answers (Katie, you know more sound theology at age 3 than I did at age 25--all "for God's glory"!), "Daddy Time", various teaching opportunities that occur in God's providence, showing you how a man is to love one woman, showing you and teaching you how to love God and neighbor, showing you how to love the bride of Christ, etc. (I know you're reading that and can remember far too many times that I have fallen short, and if there is any bitterness in you as you read this, would you please forgive me?)
So with those responsibilties already established, I began thinking how else I could sharpen you, and how I might be used to instruct you in the Lord even if I'm not alive anymore. Then, just the other day, I was thinking about a scenario that I can't even remember, but I do remember thinking to myself, "I hope to teach Luke the truth about this," and then I said, "Why don't I write him a letter," and then I said, "How about writing a blog to my kids in which I teach them and share with them biblical convictions I hope they embrace, and share with them stories from my life." Thus, Sharpening Arrows was born.
You might be wondering, "Why a blog and not just personal letters?" Good question. I wrestled with that one as well, and decided to do it this way for a few reasons.
1. I need help. Although I am writing to you, by letting others listen in, I am opening myself up to correction. Everything I write, apart from Scripture, is subject to correction (stop laughing and shaking your head in the affirmative!). I hope there will be old friends and new friends who will come along and help me out. Kids, we need to receive correction. "The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice" (Proverbs 12:15).
2. I hope the Lord might use some of what I say to help other parents who might be reading what I write. As I type that, I'm tempted to delete it because I don't feel like I have much to offer, but I'll let it stand. "Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another" (Proverbs 27:17).
3. I'm praying that the Lord might use some of the content of these letters and the links provided at the blog (which are not there yet because your dad is clueless as to how to make that happen) to teach any non-Christians the Gospel, and that some, hearing that "in Christ God was reconciling the world to Himself" (2 Cor. 5:19), will come to Christ.
Obviously, my intention is not to write anything to you 'in public' that needs to be dealt with 'in private.' I simply want to teach and share. Sometimes, what I write will be pure teaching, other times I will share a personal story from my life (Katie, already at age 3 you are wondering, "What does daddy do all day 'at work'?"). Without a doubt, what I write will surely be boring to many, but that doesn't matter because I'm not writing to 'many,' but to you. I hope you are not bored! I love you, kids, and I pray that God's blessing will be upon my writing and your reading, or it will all be in vain (Ps. 127:1).
Sincerely Yours,
Daddy
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