Nota Bene: Marginalia Commentary on Life from a Curious Learner

This morning - over another cup of coffeee - I read the daily prayer of John Stott. I was impressed again with the simplicity of prayer and a life of seeking God. This prayer wouldn't set the world on fire if prayed just once or twice. But imagine the impact on your life if this was your focus and passion that fueled you every day. Heavenly Father, I pray that I may live this day in your presence and please you more and more. Lord Jesus, I pray that this day I may take up my cross and follow you. Holy Spirit, I pray that this day you will fill me with yourself and cause your fruit to ripen in my life: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-Control Holy, blessed and glorious trinity, three persons in one God, have mercy upon me. Almighty God, Creator and sustainer of the universe, I worship you. Lord Jesus Christ, Savior and Lord of the World, I worship you. Holy Spirit, Sanctifier of the people of God, I worship you. Gl...

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...

Timothy H. Lim, vol. 3, Pesherim , Companion to the Qumran scrolls (London; New York: T&T Clark, 2002). "The pesherim are some of the best-known biblical exegeses to be found among the Dead Sea Scrolls. They are scriptural commentaries named after the technical Hebrew term pesher (pl. pesherim ) which characteristically appears in formulae that introduce an exposition of a biblical verse (e.g., 'the intepretation [Hebrew: pesher ] of the matter is …')." I purchased this book as part of a set through Logos . I read it last night in utter fascination. This book is more than an exegetical tool to unwrap the meaning of the Dead Sea Scrolls (DSS), it is also a fantastic view into the second temple period and the community of Qumran. Ever since visiting the DSS exhibit at the Minnesota Science Museum last year, I am particularly drawn to the findings at Qumran and the studies that continue to pour forth from this extraordinary archeological discovery. I love...

Scripture: Psalm 91:14-15 Observation: The Lord's protection is for those who love him and show it by obedience to his Word. The protection is just one of God's blessings on his followers: rescue (v 14) protection (v 14) answered prayer (v 15) presence in trouble (v 15) deliverance (v 15) honor (v 15) longevity (v 16) salvation (v 16) That's quite a list! It seems so strange to me that there are so many critics of Christianity who claim that God robs them of joy. I look at this list here and can only offer thanks to a generous God who pours out his blessings on his people. These blessings are for those who: love him, acknowledge his name, and call on him in trouble. Jesus said that if we love him we will obey his commands. ( John 15:9-14 ) He also indicated that if we remain in his love, then we God will hear and answer prayers (John 15:7). A final link between this passage in Psalm 91 and our John 1 7 passage is the reference to the name. John 17:11 tells us...

(John 15:9-14). He also indicated that if we remain in his love, then we God will hear and answer prayers (John 15:7). Scripture: Psalm 91:14-15 Observation: The Lord's protection is for those who love him and show it by obedience to his Word. The protection is just one of God's blessings on his followers: rescue (v 14) protection (v 14) answered prayer (v 15) presence in trouble (v 15) deliverance (v 15) honor (v 15) longevity (v 16) salvation (v 16) That's quite a list! It seems strange to me that there are so many critics of Christianity who claim that God robs them of joy. I look at this list here and can only offer thanks to a generous God who pours out his blessings on his people. These blessings are for those who: love him, acknowledge his name, and call on him in trouble. Jesus said that if we love him we will obey his commands   Psalm 91 and our John 1 7 passage is the reference to the name. John 17:11 tells us that our protection comes through the na...

Scripture: Psalm 5:11-12 11　But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you. 12　Surely, Lord, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield. Observation: A strong link exists between dependence on the Lord and joy. The world tempts me to seek out and find my own happiness. God calls me to joy in Him. There is gladness and joy for those who take refuge in the Lord. The Lord is the protector of his people. There is a difference for the person who knows the Lord and follows his commands. Theirs is a life of joy, gladness, protection, rejoicing, and blessing. The Lord surrounds them with favor. Our protection comes from the Lord rather than from any other source. Human efforts at protection are mirages at best. They may seem to be impregnable fortresses, but are nothing but a house of cards. On the other hand - our God protects with his love and ...

Scripture: Ephesians 3:14-19 "...that you might be strengthened with power..." Observation: This prayer is about power. Paul prays that the church might be strengthened with power. The source of the power is the Holy Spirit. The placement of the power is in our inner being. The result of the power is that Christ may dwell in our hearts through faith. I normally think of power as something that is used to do things. It is oriented towards action or activity. It is usually associated with motion. We think of power as the power to do. Paul thinks of power as the ability to contain. In Japan this morning a fight is going on to contain an enormous amount of nuclear energy inside crippled reactors. Their prayer (and mine!) is that the facility would have the strength to contain an enormous power. I think that image helps me to understand what's going on here. Paul is praying that my body and soul would be strengthened because there is an unimaginable power at work within m...

Scripture : Psalm 63:1-4 "earnestly I seek you." Observation : There are times when pursuing God comes easy. I've had those. It is a joy to wake early and meet the Lord. To pour the coffee and spend what seems to be a leisurely hour in the Word and prayer. The thoughts pour forth from the pages and my praise seems effortless and grand. Those are mountaintop experiences to be savored. But they're not all like that. David writes this Psalm from the desert. I have been there too. Nothing comes easy. I wake late and am distracted by everything. As hard as I claw, the words will not release themselves from the page and I am left empty and unfulfilled. These are the days when my soul thirsts for God. I go to the water, but when I arrive it seems to a mirage rather than an oasis. It is at these times that David wants to teach us to seek the Lord earnestly. To seek earnestly (Hebrew: sahar) is a seldom used word in the Old Testament. When it is used it is primarily used o...

Scripture : Psalm 34:1-3 "Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together." Observation: David moves from the first person singular in verses 1 and 2 to the plural in verse 3. Worship can do that. Every day I spend time in worship before the Lord, but that's mostly by myself. But there is something about private worship that creates a hunger for corporate worship. For me, worship is not just a solo sport. I love to enter into praise and worship with my brothers and sisters in Christ. I'll be honest, it's hard on Sundays when I preach. It's a discipline to have to turn my mind from what I will speak to what I should be hearing. Yesterday, however, was a phenomenal worship experience. Somewhere in the second service I just heard the Lord speak to me through an image and a simple sentence. I stopped singing and just listened and reflected on what the Lord was telling me. I don't think that would have happened on my own. It was in the context of co...

Scripture : John 17:23 Observation: Jesus is praying that his disciples would share in the same unity that he has with the Father. It isn't a partial unity. It isn't a developing unity. It is a complete unity. Jesus isn't just hoping that we'll all just get along. Rather, his prayer is for a complete and mature unity. Unity is based on Christ's unity with the Father. In verse 11 he makes a dramatic link between unity and glory. Here's how I see this at work (and is the thrust of my message on 3/26...some day I'll figure out how to link my sermons here.)  Christ humbled himself and served others. This glorified the Father. The Father noted the humiliation and glorified him. Their unity was preserved through Christ's humiliation because they chose to glorify one another. Application : This isn't hard to see where it's going. Want unity? Choose to glorify (honor) one another. When we humble ourselves and honor one another two things happen. G...

Scripture: Psalm 95:1-7 "For the Lord is the great God." Observation: The Lord is our Shepherd. He is the One who created everything that has been made. All of creation sings his praise, and we are the loudest voice of that great choir. Worship seems to be a very noisy practice. It is full of shouting, music, and song. It is the thunder on the mountains and the roaring of the seas. It is the sound of all nature giving praise to him. In response to God's marvelous care for us, his sheep, we come and kneel before him in silence. Silence is another sound of worship. It is the true connection of the heart of the worshipper with the heart of the maker. The psalmist uses both "God" and "Lord" as the names of God. The Lord (YHWH) is the Hebrew name that God chose to sign his covenants with his people. It refers to the caring, gracious, compassionate and loving attributes of his character. God (elohim) is the name God uses to refer to his majestic strength...

Scripture: Philippians 3:7-11 "I want to know Christ!" Observation: As Paul relates his extraordinary qualifications he compares their value against the privilege of knowing Christ. Christ wins! To go even further, Paul says that those things are like rubbish (trash and recycling) compared to the sheer joy of knowing Christ. His only desire is to be found in Christ with a righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. The phrase in Christ is a unique phrase in the NT. As believers we possess unimaginable blessings because of our relationship to Christ as being in him. In him we have all that we could ever ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20-21). I love verse 10 where Paul says that his purpose in life is to know Christ. That is my passion as well. Of all the titles that I have (pastor, husband, father, friend, etc.) the one I treasure most is follower of Jesus Christ. I live my life to know him. Note: I'm not complete here and Paul wasnt either (check out Phil 3:12 ) ...

Scripture:  “ I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.” The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; ” ( Lamentations 3:24–25 , NIV) Observation: The author tells us that his "self-talk" is intentionally focused on truth about who the Lord is. It is all too human to dwell on our problems, isn't it? As I read the verses prior to this text (to gain perspective on the context) I note that in verse 19 the author is remembering his affliction and his wandering. As a result (v 20) his soul is downcast. How true! When we focus on our problems they grow in size. When we focus on the Lord and his promises, they shrink. The Lord is my portion. This phrase is used only a few times in the OT. It refers to the Levites, who were the only one of the twelve tribes who did not possess any land in Israel. They were the priests who relied on the tithes of the people to provide for their needs. They were dependent on God to ...

Scripture: Ephesians 1:15-23 ‎17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. ‎ Observation: Paul is giving thanks and praying for his friends in Ephesus. He begins with thanksgiving. That's a natural place to begin prayer. Thanksgiving is looking back at what God has done in the lives of people and in the course of history. When we start with thanksgiving we acknowledge that God has heard our prayers, seen our need, and responded in glorious ways. Paul's prayer then moves to asking God for specific things on behalf of the Ephesian church. Grammatically the request is that God might open their eyes to see two things: their hope and God's power. Paul is not asking that they recieve more hope and power. His conviction is that they have the hope that they need, but they aren't aware of it. Similarly, they have all the power they could ever ask for, but t...

Scripture:  Daniel 10:8-11 "Daniel, you who are highly esteemed, consider carefully the words I am about to speak to you." Observation: This is a rather odd passage in a sometimes confusing book. Daniel has seen a great vision from the Lord. The Lord sent an angel to assist and to explain the vision, but the angel had been delayed due to a battle with a one of Satan's most mighty demons. Odd indeed. But on arrival, he helps Daniel to overcome his fear and awe with comforting words. "Daniel, you are thought of highly by the Lord." I can't help but hear similar words coming from the heavens at the baptism of Christ. "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am pleased." (Matthew 3:17) Application: God is pleased with his faithful children and esteems them highly. Too often I see only my own faults, my faithlessness, my sin. I don't trust myself to believe that God might see something different. He just might see me as his child in whom he is please...

Scripture: Exodus 33:7-11 "...‎The Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend. " Observation: How amazing is it that God is willing to speak to his people face to face? This fact about Moses' prayer life is so notable that it is referenced three other times in Scripture ‎( Numbers 12:8 ; Deut 5:4 ; Deut 34:10 ) . Imagine for a moment how incredible it would be to enter into the presence of the Lord, to look into his eyes, and talk, and listen. We are told that what we say represents only a fraction of the meaning. Far more is communicated non-verbally. In looking at the responsibility that Moses faced - leading a rebellious mob through the desert for 40 years, I now understand how valuable this time must have been for him. He not only heard God speak, but he watched his face and his motions for non-verbal clues that others would have missed. I believe that he understood the heart of God because of his face to face communication and his relationsh...