The Rhino and the Dove

My missionary friend from South Africa said something very insightful the other day. She was talking about lessons learned in ministry, and quoted this anonymous saying, "You need to have the skin of a rhinocerous, but the heart of a dove."

That made an immediate picture in my mind! The rhino's thick, armor-like skin provides a degree of protection for him, and is not easily injured. The dove is known for its loyalty, and unlike most creatures in the animal kingdom, it picks a mate for life, and remains true to that one.

The correlation from this saying to loving people and a life of ministry is easily made. Being around people means that there will be some conflict, some hurts, and some choices to be made daily if we are really going to love others the way Christ has loved us. Because of my sinfulness, I find it too easy to be bothered by all the offenses that happen in a day, and begin to respond

selfishly, either returning evil for evil, or withholding good from those responsible for the offense.

I am so grateful for the power of Christ that has freed me from my slavery to that kind of sin! Though there is temptation and struggle at times, it is not my master anymore!

*deep sigh of relief*

Instead, I'm so thankful for the power of the Holy Spirit that enables us to respond to the gracious mercy we've been shown by being gracious to others. My offenses before our Holy God were much worse than anything I've suffered here! How humbling!

So, my prayer is that I will remember the rhino, and his thick skin, and even better the command to let love cover a multitude of sins. And further, that I will have the loyal love displayed by the dove to its mate, and love others, graciously and patiently, persevering in deeds of kindness, especially when they are undeserved.

Let Gospel love drive us!

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Gospel Powered Parenting

A friend and I have been reading a book together by William Farley called Gospel Powered Parenting. In his first chapter, Intellectual Submarines, Farley discusses the unseen assumptions that cruise just below the surface of our lives but drive how we think and act.

He says that godly parents operate from the following 5 assumptions as they face the task of raising children.

1. Parenting is not easy. We cannot be perfect parents. "Precisely because we are so flawed, the gospel, the saving work of Christ, must be your refuge." (p. 20)

2. God is sovereign, but He uses means. God is completely in control of salvation, but He loves to use parents to bring salvation to their children. We are utterly dependent and responsible at the same time.

3. A good offense is better than defense. We must focus on preparing our children to enter the world and conquer it through saving faith in Jesus Christ, not merely protecting them from it. We must show our children through our lives and teach them through our words that Christ is more glorious and satisfying than anything here.

"We aimed all our arrows at our children's hearts, knowing that once their hearts had been changed, the decisive battle was fought and won." (p. 26) This is what the new birth is all about.

4. Understand the new birth. If our children have only adopted a religious, moralistic, works-righteousness philosophy, they will be no different from the world. Only when they are born again will they follow Christ and his word. "New birth is a radical change of heart that ushers in new desires, new loves, and a new life direction." (p. 28)

5. Effective parents are not child centered. They strive instead to put God at the center of their family. Having a God-centered family means saying no to kids when it is in their best interest, husband and wife are united before their kids, marriage is a higher priority than kids, and there is a willingness to be different from the world.

After almost 22 years of trying by God's grace (though as flawed sinners) to follow these 5 principles, I can say "Amen" to everything he said in this chapter! God has been moving us more and more over the years to cast all our hope for our children on Christ and His transforming work in their hearts. I feel deeply the responsibility I have to do everything possible to give them the Word as much as possible, live it out before them in a gracious, humble way, and pray for God to save and sanctify them. Ultimately though, it is all up to Him, and I am astounded and humbled to know that He wants to use me. WOW!

I hope you will pick up this book and catch a vision for the wonderful work God desires to do in you and in the lives of your children.

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Church Kids Leaving the Church

Here's an article for anyone concerned by the trend of churched kids growing up and leaving the faith in their young adult lives. It is a good challenge to youth workers and parents about the hope of the Gospel, and our call to preach the truth to our children and pray for Christ to save them.

Click here to read the article at Gospel Coalition by Jon Neilson.

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V A C A T I O N ! ! ! !

Yes, it is almost V A C A T I O N !!!! I am so looking forward to being away with our family, and especially since we are getting to spend some time at the coast. It is so beautiful there, and we are all ready to go make some memories.

Here's one of my favorite photos from last year...

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"Lord, we want to see your Name be praised in all the earth,

O God of endless glory, God of endless worth." -Sovereign Grace Music

My hearts cry more and more with every passing year.

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Quoteworthy

"God is in the habit of using weak people to do mighty things."

- Steve Fernandez

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Highly Recommending: Instruments in the Redeemer's Hands

Over the past year, my Bible study ladies and I read Paul David Tripp's book Instruments in the Redeemer's Hands. It was one of the best books I have read in a long time about discipleship and ministry, and solidified and expanded my understanding of how God intends to use sinners (in need of change) in the lives of other sinners (also needing change).

At the end of Chapter 14, Tripp sums up the gist of the whole book and articulates the simplicity, yet grandeur of personal ministry in the following couple of paragraphs:

"Two things always come to my mind as I finish teaching this material. First, I am hit with the utter simplicity of biblical personal ministry. It is not a secret technology for the intervention elite, but a simple call to every one of God's children to be part of what God is doing in the lives of others. It is living in humble, honest, redemptive community with others, loving as Christ has loved, and going beyond the casual to really know people. It is loving others enough to speak the truth to them, helping them to see themselves in the mirror of God's Word. And it is standing with others, helping them to do what God has called them to do. It is basically just a call to biblical friendship! It is almost embarrassingly simple: Love people. Know them. Speak truth into their lives. Help them do what God has called them to do.

At the same time, there is a grandeur to personal ministry that cannot be captured with words. God is painting his grace on the canvas of human souls. One day we will stand with him in Glory and see that canvas completed, and we won't be able to do anything but worship. What is our part in all of this? We are God's brushes. He wants to soak us on the palette of his grace and paint more of his goodness on yet another soul. The question is, "Are we soft brushes in his hands?" A hard, dried-out brush doesn't pick up the paint well and mars the surface it was meant to beautify. I hope this book will help you become a soft brush in the hands of a Redeemer who will continue to paint until his canvas is complete."

Tripp's hope, expressed in that last sentence, is my prayer as I set out to apply the principles outlined in this helpful book.

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