Jonathan Edwards: The Preciousness of Time

Every day that you have enjoyed has been precious; yea, your moments have been precious. But have you not wasted your precious moments, your precious days, yea, your precious years? If you should reckon up how many days you have lived, what a sum would there be! And how precious hath every one of those days been! Consider, therefore, what have you done with them? What is become of them all? What can you show of any improvement made, or good done, or benefit obtained, answerable to all this time which you have lived? When you look back, and search, do you not find this past time of your lives in a great measure empty, having not been filled up with any good improvement? And if God, that hath given you your time, should now call you to an account, what account could you give to him?

How much may be done in a year? How much good is there opportunity to do in such a space of time! How much service may persons do for God, and how much for their own souls, if to their utmost they improve it! How much may be done in a day! But what have you done in so many days and years that you have lived? What have you done with the whole time of your youth, you that are past your youth? What is become of all that precious season of life? Hath it not all been in vain to you? Would it not have been as well or better for you, if all that time you had been asleep, or in a state of nonexistence?

You have had much time of leisure and freedom from worldly business. Consider to what purpose you have spent it. You have not only had ordinary time, but you have had a great deal of holy time. What have you done with all the Sabbath-days which you have enjoyed? Consider those things seriously, and let your own consciences make answer.

-from "The Preciousness of Time" by Jonathan Edwards, December 1734

Read the whole essay here.

Grasping for the Wind

"One generation passes away, and another generation comes; but the earth abides forever." Ecclesiastes 1:4

Around the world, the news is spreading about the passing of two pop culture icons yesterday. One was a woman who set the standard of beauty for a decade, the other was a man who changed the face of popular music forever. Yes, the names of Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson are on the tips of everyone's tongues. People will be discussing the impact they had on the lives of others, their dreams, their achievements, their demons...all of it will be rehashed until it seems that their images will be forever burned on the public consciousness. And yet...

What is their real impact in the light of eternity? Two people who seemed to have gained all that the world had to offer in the ways of fame and fortune, and yet in the coming generations they will be viewed with the same detached emotions with which we now see other icons like Abraham Lincoln, Julius Caesar, and Napoleon. They might even one day fall into the anonymity of thousands of others who had also gained fame and fortune and now are wiped clean from the earth's memory.

When we heard of Michael Jackson's death yesterday, my sister remarked how weird it was for a man so famous to suddenly be no more. That is one of the mysteries of death, the great equalizer, the one thing that no one can escape no matter how wealthy, talented, or beautiful they are. Ecclesiastes has this to say on the achievements of man: "I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and indeed, all is vanity and grasping for the wind." (Ecclesiastes 1:14 NKJV). It takes times like these to remind us exactly how much of a vapor we really are, and to shift our focus back on to the things that are eternal.

None of this is to say that we shouldn't appreciate our life on earth. It is a great gift and a great opportunity. But we must never lose sight of the fact that is the life to come that matters most, and that the praise and honor found on earth is as elusive and empty as the wind itself.

"I communed with my heart, saying, 'Look, I have attained greatness, and have gained more wisdom than all who were before me in Jerusalem. My heart has understood great wisdom and knowledge.' And I set my heart to know wisdom and to know madness and folly. I perceived that this also is grasping for the wind." Ecclesiastes 1:16-17

Great Post: Who's Afraid of Flannery O'Connor

In Volume 18, Issue 2 of the Credenda Agenda, Douglas Jones questions why today's Christians are so afraid of Flannery O'Connor. Though in my opinion she is a writer whose works all Christians should read as much as they read those of Lewis and Chesterton, most Christians have never even heard of her and those who have have a great aversion to her. Why? Jones believes it lies in the darkness of grace:

All her stories focus on grace, grace, grace. That's what they're about. Every one of them. Real people wrestling with bodily grace.

And that's what disturbs many readers. They don't want their grace black. It feels like an alien faith to them, and they resist it. O'Connor herself heard this complaint. In her essay "The Catholic Novelist in the Protestant South," she argued against that pietism typical of Christian readers: "The reader wants his grace warm and binding, not dark and disruptive."

It's a great article. I especially like how Jones contrasts Christians' aversion to O'Connor with their love for "Christian" horror like Frank Peretti. Read the whole issue here.

Life in the Doldrums

Day after day, day after day,

We stuck, nor breath nor motion;

As idle as a painted ship

Upon a painted ocean.

-from The Rime of the Ancient Mariner by S. T. Coleridge

Ask any sailor who relies on wind and they will tell you that there is nothing worse than being caught in the Doldrums, that region along the equator that is notorious for deadly calms that can trap a ship for weeks at a time. The endless monotony, the breathless air, the overwhelming boredom can lead to a madness that no storm could ever create.

For the past few months, that is exactly how my life (both physical and spiritual) has felt. You might have guessed that from my general lack of posting. I have been listless and uninspired and I seem to be getting nowhere fast. Not that my life is bad; in fact, it's actually pretty good compared to most. It's just that I feel like I am stalling in the middle of a vast nothingness, wanting to move forward but unable to. Things that I once had a passion for have become routine and boring. Church, family, and life itself seem to have lost their flavor and I find myself simply going through the motions rather than really growing.

So the questions that I now face are how long until God blows me into the open sea again? And, more importantly, how do I survive until that day comes?

O Thou Who camest from above,
The pure celestial fire to impart,
Kindle a flame of sacred love
Upon the mean altar of my heart.

There let it for Thy glory burn
With inextinguishable blaze,
And trembling to its source return,
In humble prayer and fervent praise.

Jesus, confirm my heart's desire
To work and speak and think for Thee;
Still let me guard the holy fire,
And still stir up Thy gift in me.

Ready for all Thy perfect will,
My acts of faith and love repeat,
'Til death Thy endless mercies seal,
And make my sacrifice complete.

-O Thou Who Camest From Above by Charles Wesley

Fireproof

Anyone who knows me knows that I'm usually a little behind the times. Last year, I saw Lord of the Rings for the first time, bought my first iPod, and first tasted strawberries with balsamic vinegar. Yeah, the good things seem to come slow to me. So it shouldn't shock anyone that I have just now viewed last year's highest-grossing independent film: Fireproof.

This is the third film for Sherwood Pictures and it has certainly shown the growth that the members of Sherwood Baptist Church have had since their last picture (Facing the Giants), and not just financially. Here, they tackle the thing that is the foundation of every society throughout history: marriage.

Here is the synopsis from the film's website:

At work, inside burning buildings, Capt. Caleb Holt lives by the old firefighter's adage: Never leave your partner behind. At home, in the cooling embers of his marriage, he lives by his own rules.

Growing up, Catherine Holt always dreamed of marrying a loving, brave firefighter...just like her daddy. Now, after seven years of marriage, Catherine wonders when she stopped being "good enough" for her husband.

Regular arguments over jobs, finances, housework, and outside interests have readied them both to move on to something with more sparks.

As the couple prepares to enter divorce proceedings, Caleb's father challenges his son to commit to a 40-day experiment: "The Love Dare." Wondering if it's even worth the effort, Caleb agrees-for his father's sake more than for his marriage. When Caleb discovers the book's daily challenges are tied into his parents' newfound faith, his already limited interest is further dampened.

While trying to stay true to his promise, Caleb becomes frustrated time and again. He finally asks his father, "How am I supposed to show love to somebody who constantly rejects me?"

When his father explains that this is the love Christ shows to us, Caleb makes a life-changing commitment to love God. And with God's help he begins to understand what it means to truly love his wife.

But is it too late to fireproof his marriage? His job is to rescue others. Now Caleb Holt is ready to face his toughest job ever...rescuing his wife's heart.

This was a very enjoyable and inspiring film that I think most Christians will like. Divorce is rampant in our society and the church is no exception. This film's message of remaining with your partner through every trial is something that everyone could stand to hear. It also paints a lovely view of salvation as Caleb learns to love his wife "as Christ loved the church", unconditionally.

This is not to say that this is first-class moving making. While Kirk Cameron was solid in his role as Caleb and a few other actors were surprisingly good (Ken Bevel as Michael Simmons), it is obvious that most of the actors are amateurs. It also suffers from what I think of as POJS: "Prayer of Jabez" Syndrome. Remember how a few years back everyone was praying the "Prayer of Jabez" because we were told that if you did, God would suddenly give you more in life? Well, both Fireproof and Facing the Giants suffer from a bit of this by seemingly representing that if you do this one thing (The Love Dare or praising God through good and bad), your life will suddenly become sunny. This isn't to say that the thing shouldn't be done, just that we can't do it just to gain something from God. And though the film's message is sincere, it can be heavy-handed and often lacking in the subtle beauties of films like Bella.

But ultimately, this is definitely a film that I think everyone should see. It's portrayal of the beauty and worth of a marriage grounded in Christ is something our broken world needs desperately.

*As a single, I found that I couldn't quite relate to the film like my parents and other married couples. There are, however, many principles that singles can apply not just in the future, but right now.

• All relationships, whether with family, friends, or God, require work and commitment. No relationship should be based on feelings, but rather on a conscious decision to show the love of Christ to someone else.
• Our relationship with God affects all of our other relationships. If we are lacking in that ultimate relationship, it will show.
• The sin in our lives affects those around us. We are never just hurting ourselves when we sin.
• Waiting on God doesn't mean that we sit around doing nothing. We must continue serving Him whatever the situation.
• Those who boast usually get brought down a notch or two.
• Feed the man. You'll notice in the film that Caleb and Catherine's first 2 arguments start because she didn't feed him. I'm telling you from personal experience with my dad, things usually go better in life if you keep the man fed!

Citizens of Heaven

For the past few months, the home fellowship that my family and I attend has been studying the book of Ephesians. A couple of weeks ago, as we worked our way through Chapter 2, Verse 19 really jumped out at me, and one word in particular:

"Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household..." (Eph. 2:19 NIV emphasis mine).

Throughout the latter part of Chapter 2, Paul talks a lot about aliens, foreigners, and citizens. At first, I wondered why he chose these particular examples, when he could have used many others? There is, in fact, quite a bit of symbolism behind his choice:

1. To those living in the Roman Empire, citizenship was a big deal. To be a Roman Citizen was to receive all of the benefits of living in the Empire. You were allowed to vote, to stand for office, and to appeal to the courts. You also had the right to appeal to be tried in Rome, and even if you were sentenced to death, you could not be crucified (hence the reason that Paul was beheaded and Peter was crucified). As Christians, we can now receive all of the benefits of being a citizen of heaven. The full blessings of heaven have been opened to us, who were once "foreigners" to God.


2. Citizenship was passed on from father to children. It's another example of how the blessings in our lives come because we are the children of God.


3. Roman citizenship could be bought, but at a very high price (see Acts 22:28). Heavenly citizenship comes with a price as well; one that it is impossible for us to pay. We have only received our citizenship because Christ paid the ultimate price for it.


4. Roman citizens were immediately distinguishable from non-citizens. It only took one look to know whether or not someone was a citizen. For example, only citizens could wear a toga. As Christians, we should also be immediately distinguishable from non-Christians. Our dress, our behaviour, our lives should reflect our status as children of God.


5. Citizenship gives us benefits, yes, but it also requires something of us. We are expected to follow the law and to work for the benefit of our fellow citizens. There is no difference with our spiritual citizenship. We must follow God's commandments and work to edify fellow believers.

In Philippians 3:20, Paul again tells us that "Our citizenship is in heaven." Our blessings, our future, and our very identities all flow from there. How amazing that so many spiritual truths can be found all because Paul used a certain word.