Nota Bene: Marginalia Commentary on Life from a Curious Learner

In classical music it is the silence between the sounds that takes a piece from technical to transcendent. Life is more than just a succession of notes without a pause. In the lives of people too, there must likewise be pauses that define and shape the nature of who we are. Today I enter one of those silences in which I believe God will shape and refine me in a new way. The board of deacons at Meadow Creek Church asked for my resignation last week. On Sunday I announced my resignation to the congregation. It was a very sad day, but I sense the Lord in it. Although I am deeply saddened by this turn of events, I am not surprised. I affirm their decision and recognize that the chemistry is not there. There are no issues of integrity in any way. This is more of a parting over issues of values and vision. As for Moe and I…this week we start a search for God’s next place of ministry. We have been afforded a severance that, Lord willing, will tide us over until a new place opens up. In th...

In preparation for my message on July 10, I came across a very helpful book on depression from a pastoral perspective. I appreciate his pastoral (as opposed to academic) approach from a thoroughly biblical aspect. The book is called, "Christians Get Depressed Too" by David Murray. For twelve years the author pastored in a beautiful, but isolated, dark and wet part of the UK. He served in an area where depression is seemingly part of the landscape. He knows what he's talking about and provides help for Christians who struggle with depression. Depression has many sources and this blog post cannot begin to enumerate them. However, they do seem to share a common element when it comes to the mind. When we face depression, our minds often are unclear and are vulnerable to doubt the present reality of things that we formerly knew with certainty. Our emotions can override our judgment and render us helpless against the internal onslaught of wrong thinking. It is that aspect (and ...

Today I spent a few hours working on some background research for my thesis and worked through what the Church Fathers said in regard to Matthew 5:9. What does "blessed" mean? "Who are the peacemakers?" "To what extent does peacemaking go?" I came across a letter from St. Jerome written to Theophilus, the bishop of Alexandria in 399 A.D. Apparently, St. Jerome and John of Jerusalem were having a tiff over various theological and ecclesiastical matters (that I won't get into here). What I want you to see is the beauty of Jerome's language and the vivid pictures he creates with his words.  St. Jerome in his study  "You have quoted many passages from the sacred books in praise of peace, you have flitted like a bee over the flowery fields of scripture, you have culled with cunning eloquence all that is sweet and conducive to concord. I was already running after peace, but you have made me quicken my pace: my sails were set for the ...

Scripture: Psalm 19:7-11 Observation: The law, statutes, precepts, etc. are more than simple words, they are the words of God and they bring delight to the soul. The poetic structure of this psalm goes beyond a few observations. I remember from prior studies that this section is part of the chiastic form of the larger Psalm. The first part of the Psalm draws attention to how God reveals himself to all people through his creation. The last verses deal with God's very specific revelation to the individual through his thoughts, meditations, and prayers. The focus of the Psalm is on these verses - which highlight God's unique revelation to all who have the Word of God. Just a quick note here on why I love the Old Testament so much. At the time of this writing there was no New Testament. In fact, many of the prophets had yet to be born. But David speaks so passionately about the Word that you can't help but be drawn to it. He isn't just talking about the stories and the mira...

Scripture: Romans 10:8-11 "...it is with your heart that you believe and are justified..." Observation: The word is near you - very near you. It is in your mouth and in your heart. ( see Deuteronomy 30:14). Je sus also said that the two of them are connected when it comes to my speech (see Luke 6:45). The word that is planted in the heart bears its fruit through my lips. What I say is an indication of what is happening in my heart. If my heart is full of the presence of the Lord, then my speech will represent him. Here is a good indicator of the state of my heart. Application: I know that as a teacher my words mean a great deal. I also know that when words are public there is a good chance that I'll slip up and say stupid things. That's being part of humanity. But what is the overall tenor of my conversation? Today I will watch my words carefully. Not to hold my tongue, but to try hard to evaluate the state of my heart through observing the words that I speak (and wri...

Hearing God with your Heart (John 17:6-8, 17-19) " "I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word. Now they know that everything you have given me comes from you. For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me. " (John 17:6–8, NIV) " Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified. " (John 17:17–19, NIV) Listening with your heart is different than learning with your head. Devotional Reading The chief aim of devotional reading of the Bible is not to learn more information about God, but to encounter God in his Word. It is more for transformation than information . Spiritual reading is slow, thoughtful, a conscious interaction with the Lord along...