A quote that really struck me from my reading ofThe Hole in Our Gospel by Richard Stearns.

I can imagine my own life without many of the so-called necessities that I have. You can take away my car and I would find a way to compensate by using public transportation or carpooling with a friend. You could take away my computer and my Internet access, my television, stereo, and radio, and I could still have a full and prosperous life. You could reduce the size of my house and my income by half, and even take away my education and I could survive and perhaps even thrive.But if you take away water and sanitation, you take away my health and that of my children. If you take away my health, you have taken away my energy and my industry. If you take away my energy and my ability to support my family, you have taken away my dignity; and if you take away my dignity, you have taken away hope – for the future, for my children, for a better life. This is the harsh reality of more than one billion people in the world who live without access to clean, safe water.

It is so easy for me, as an American, to live life “safely”. To never be truly impacted by the world around me. The Church has a responsibility more than ever, since we live in a global society, and have been made aware of the need of our fellow citizens, that we act…and that we do so quickly.

Pray about your portion in the ministry to those that God is very, very concerned about.

Richard Stearns – Twitter account // WorldVision – facebook page, twitter, website

Who is Don Whitney?

Dr. Whitney came to Southern from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary where he was Associate Professor of Spiritual Formation for ten years. He has authored six books, including Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life, and is a popular conference speaker, especially on personal and congregational spirituality. He served in pastoral ministry for twenty-four years.

Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

I have personally benefited from this book. I know you will also.

Chance to Interact: What is the most helpful resource you’ve found available for the Amazon Kindle?

Go to CCEF’s facebook page and click on the shortened link above the picture of the mini-book: When the Money Runs Out. It will open as a pdf file. This would be a great resource in the financial downturn our nation is facing. Recommend it to your family and friends. CCEF provides many practical resources for every day living.

Chance to Interact: What money saving tips can you recommend to other readers?

• Teens that are “already down” seem to get more so after reading their “friends” statuses that seemingly are indicative of good & happy times
• Teens compared who they were as a person by comparing their total “friend” counts to others
• Teens came away with the understanding that they may not measure up as they read the “skewed” views of their Facebook “friends”
• Teens are vulnerable to depression, cyberbullying, sexting and other online risks through social networking sites

How should parents respond to such news that their teen might be feeling depressed by what they are experiencing on Facebook?

One of the things that must be understood, by both parents and teens, is that any form of depression must be dealt with or it will eventually overwhelm you. Many of the feelings of depression are deceptive and very difficult to battle. It is hard to imagine dealing with anything that is unpleasant, especially if you feel like doing nothing.

As Christians we are called to a new way of living. It is to live, not based on our feelings (nor ignoring our feelings, as we will discuss shortly), but based on what we believe is true and acting on that belief. The only thing we know for sure that is true is God’s Word. God has called us to a certain way to live and we need to believe that this is the best way to live and act on that belief. It could simply be called “faith”. The writer of Hebrews says, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen…(or we could even say of things not “felt”) (ESV) Often we don’t “feel” like living and doing what God has called us to, but we know we should live and act that way because Scripture is clear.  Let’s look at some possible examples that teens suffering Facebook Depression might acknowledge:

• Feeling:“I feel as if no-one wants to be my friend. I feel abandoned and alone on Facebook, even with all my ‘friends’.”
• Truth:Psalm 27:10 says that even if your mom & dad forsake you, the Lord will still take you in. God desires a relationship with you. Hebrews 13:5 confirms that Jesus will never forsake us.
• Feeling: “I feel as if I am unimportant and unnecessary. My friends have purpose in life, I don’t“.
• Truth: You do have a purpose. You were created for the very purpose of glorifying the Creator God! (Isaiah 43:7) In everything you do, even Facebooking, you should be seeking to bring God glory. (1 Corinthians 10:31) The goal of your life is to please Him, (2 Corinthians 5:9), and if He has called you to do it, He will equip you to do it. (Hebrews 13:20-21)

What about the feelings? What are your feelings saying about you? What can you learn from what you feel?

Understand that your emotions and your feelings are given to you by your Creator. Since we live in a broken state, due to sin, we cannot trust our feelings, but we recognize that our feelings reveal the “real” us. What might your teen’s Facebook Depression be saying about their heart? Below is just a sampling of a list of heart issues your teen may be struggling with:

• Desire to please others. When they are shunned on Facebook with this heart desire they feel as if they don’t measure up or have failed their friends.
• Desire to hear the praise of men. This is closely tied to the above desire. What will your teen’s reaction be if they do not hear “Well done!” from their friends? What might this reveal about what they are living for?
• Desire for self-pity. This is a strong heart’s desire in teens. “If no-one else will care for me, then I’ll just take pity on myself”. Self becomes the most important person in their lives. Is this proper Christian living?
• Desire to avoid conflict. This teen’s heart desire might be one that acquiesces, or gives in easily to cyberbullying, etc. What the teen needs to learn is the biblical way to handle conflict. Parents should be aware of any unsafe circumstances their teens face, and be willing to assist them biblically through it.
• Desire to put others down & elevate self. When others slander, ridicule, or in other ways use unwholesome speech, it is easy to react to the person and not deal with the problem. Our teens need to be reminded of what biblical communication is: gracious and non-reactionary. (Ephesians 4 & Colossians 2)

How will your teen get rid of Facebook Depression?

• Know that the Holy Spirit will help and strengthen them in the suffering they face.
  • Romans 5:3-5: And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. (Rom 5:3-5 NAS)
• Understand that their faith may be tested. It reveals their trust in their God.
  • God will be with them in the testing
  • Isaiah 43: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. (Isa 43:1-3 ESV)
• Be proactive in living biblically on Facebook:
  • Enter 10 wall posts on friends Facebook pages that express how they have blessed you
  • Post 5 statuses of what God has been teaching you through His Word – perhaps even what you are learning as a result of suffering
  • Don’t give up. Never give up!
    • God hasn’t given up on you and is determined to complete the work he started in you. You can take comfort in that. (Philippians 1:6)

Resources that help:

• Depression: The Way Up When You Are Down by Edward T. Welch
• Conflict: A Redemptive Opportunity by Timothy Lane
• Manipulation: Knowing How to Respond by Lou Priolo

Today in my Bible reading, I came across the end of Joshua 21.  The verses describe the God of the Israelites after they inhabited the Promise Land.  The ESV reads this way:

Thus the LORD gave to Israel all the land that he swore to give to their fathers.  And they took possession of it, and they settled there.  And the LORD gave them rest on every side just as he had sworn to their fathers.  Not one of all their enemies had withstood them, for the LORD had given all their enemies into their hands.  Not one word of all the good promises that the LORD had made to the house of Israel had failed; all came to pass.

Did you notice these phrases:

• The Lord gave…[as] he swore to give
• The Lord gave them rest…just as he had sworn to their fathers
• The Lord had given all their enemies into their hands  (see Joshua 1 for the Lord giving this promise)
• Not one word of all the good promises that the Lord had made…had failed; all came to pass
  

The God of those Israelites is the same God I serve today.  Those who have placed their trust in Jesus Christ for not only their eternal salvation but their sanctification (process of becoming more like Christ – being holy) can rest assured that God will fulfill his promises to them.

Question:

• What specific promise has God made to his children that you are resting in today?
• What promise of God to his children might you be questioning God’s faithfulness?
• Do you take comfort in the fact that the same faithful God of Israel is the same God you serve today?
  

I love music.  I love finding artists I haven’t heard of and exploring new genres & sounds.  I desire to listen to artists that proclaim Truth through their music.  I found such an artist in Benjah.  According to Benjahmusic.com, Benjah’s style has developed:

Through various experiments and much time, he has created a refreshing experience for your ears coupled with a lyrical journey through his life. Benjah’s unique sound, dubbed Island Soul Rock, comes from diverse influences including Lauryn Hill, the Marley’s, Musiq Soulchild, and John Mayer.

It’s hip hop with reggae.  It’s soulful, rhythmic and easy on the ears.  The message that comes through the lyrics is gospel gold:

In the present culture, media consumes lives with luring eyes and tickling ears.  It promotes the temporal and distracts from the eternal. This leaves us in a prison of muddy water than binds our minds and souls with confusion.

When I saw this clearly, I felt burdened to speak and expose what I have learned. The music I write is a lyrical explanation of the journey God is bringing me through. I hope it encourages you as well as challenges you to find truth.  It is a call all to resist the seduction of this fallen world and wage war against sin and self.

My mission is to bring the good news of Jesus Christ, the only key to unlock the prison doors. He alone is victorious over satan, sin and the world. Only through him can anyone be saved.

You can find more of Benjah here:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/benjahmusic
MySpace: www.myspace.com/benjahmusic
Twitter: www.twitter.com/benjahmusic
Youtube: www.youtube.com/benjahmusic

My favorite danish from the Bakery is pain au chocolat.  While I have a difficult putting “pain” and “chocolate” together in the same sentence, this pastry is excellent.  I highly recommend it.  I have tried their butter cream cinnamon rolls and my kids love their chocolate cookies, but the pain au chocolat tops them all in my opinion.

Have you tried 1o00 Park Bakery?  What’s your fav beverage / pastry?  I’m posting this from the Bakery, staring out the window, a thunderstorm brewing across Winona Lake and coffee is going down smooth.  The Bakery is also on facebook, sometimes even running a deal for their friends: check them out!

I was reading Joshua 1 this morning in my personal study and some thoughts came to mind about our transition.  Joshua 1 is a transitional passage, as it deals with leadership change, new direction for the nation of Israel and God’s requirements for success in these new endeavors.  Below are verses 1-9 (very familiar, but please read them):

After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, the LORD said to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ assistant,  2 “Moses my servant is dead. Now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, into the land that I am giving to them, to the people of Israel.  3 Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given to you, just as I promised to Moses.  4 From the wilderness and this Lebanon as far as the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites to the Great Sea toward the going down of the sun shall be your territory.  5 No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you.  6 Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them.  7 Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go.  8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.  9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

Here are some quick points to keep in mind over the next several months of this year of transition:

• When leaders transition, things just change. (v.1-2)
  • In the book of Joshua leadership changed due to Moses’ death.  In our church it is a mutual transition of Pastor Rick going to new ministry and current leadership (pastors, board, etc) determining direction.
  • While Pastor Rick has built, through God’s grace, a wonderful foundation over the past 25+ years, it is most probable that things will begin to slowly look different due to new focuses, intensities and direction.
  • This is not a bad thing.  Godly change should be embraced and passionately pursued.  By doing this, we do not discount those who have led before us, but gratefully “stand on their shoulders” as we focus on what God has for us.
    
• Just because things change doesn’t mean that God is any less in control. (v.3-5)
  • It is easy for us to get caught up in the unknown and in anxiety and worry, fret about the future.
  • I think this may be why God referenced His presence with Moses to Joshua: Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you.  I will never leave you or forsake you.
    
  • It helps to have a healthy (godly) view of God’s Sovereignty.  This transition didn’t take God by surprise.  In fact, He orchestrated it!!  Praise Him!  He has, in His wisdom, seen fit to move current leadership around, for His glory, and allow our church to experience this transition.  He is in control!  He has not left us, nor will He forsake us!
• It is imperative for new leadership to lead by example. (v.6)
  • I know there is a lot of questions about the future leadership.  These questions are just beginning to be assessed and addressed.  I can assure you, our congregation, that you will be asked for input and we will be communicating the process to you on a regular basis.  We have made this a paramount priority.
  • “New” leadership must be willing to not only proclaim Truth, but they must demonstrate Truth in daily living.  They will face uncertainty, just like the rest of our local body.  They must proclaim trust in God’s direction, and then live confidently in that trust.
  • The integrity of leadership does affect the congregation.  God commands Joshua to be strong and very courageous…why?  Not so that he could demonstrate great leadership skills, but for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers. If leadership fails to live in the integrity of the Truth, the congregation will suffer.
    
• Obedience to the Word, both in leadership & our congregation, will ensure that we “Grow God’s Way“. (v.7)
  • God demands careful obedience – He always has.  He is not interested in haphazard “christian” living.
  • Only “careful” obedience – obedience that does not deviate from Truth (do not turn from it) will result in growing God’s way (that you may have good success where you go).
    
  • Half-hearted pursuit of Truth is not what we as a local church need right now.  We need passionate and full adherence to God’s Word in every area of life!  Please, with me, examine our hearts and repent of wrong-doing and renew our commitment to living a life of righteousness!
    
• We can only obey fully what we know intimately. (v.8)
  • Careful obedience requires that I know what God’s Word says.  All these “rants” seem to come down to the same thing, don’t they?  Spiritual Disciplines – how are you doing in your personal study of the Word, prayer, church involvement, discipleship of self and others, etc?
  • If we do not let Truth depart from our mouths and meditate on it day & night then we will see God work in our lives, and in our church, in amazing ways!
    
• Transition should be met boldly, with full confidence in the Lord we serve. (v.9)
  • So, Calvary Baptist Church, Be strong and courageous.  Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
    
  • Those are comforting words aren’t they?  The knowledge that the Sovereign and All-powerful Lord is with us in this transition allows us the confidence to boldly move forward and seek His will.

As God allows, I will be posting regularly on transitional thoughts for Calvary.  I would appreciate any input that you have concerning these posts.  God bless!

This is the gospel.  The just and loving Creator of the universe has looked upon hopelessly sinful people and sent his Son, God in the flesh, to bear his wrath against sin on the cross and to show his power over sin in the Resurrection so that all who trust in him will be reconciled to God forever.

as quoted from David Platt‘s new book, Radical.  I will be reviewing Radical on Monday.

5. If you’re waiting in a long line just to order a decaf drink, it might be a good idea to go to the back of the line and let the caffeine-deprived people get their fix first. I cannot understand why, except for heart-related reasons or, if you’re a Christian, not wanting to be mastered by even a legal addictive stimulant, someone would order a decaf drink before like 4 PM. So if you’re chipper at 7:00 but just want the taste of coffee without the caffeine, get to the back.

Please click through and read the others.  This Grace student from Alaska really knows her coffee…and rules!  By the way, she also loves God with a passion, serves our church graciously and in humility, and is an encouragement to the pastoral staff!  Thanks Katie!

This Little Prayer of Mine written by Anthony DeStefano and published by WaterBrook Press is a wonderful resource for parents to use in guiding their child in prayer.  The book, which is illustrated beautifully by Mark Elliott, captured the attention of my own children as I read it to them.

DeStefano covers such topics as: Fear, Sadness & Joy, Forgiveness, being Alone, Selfishness, Thankfulness, Service, Giving, Trust in God – for this present life and the next, Gratitude, and Obedience.  This book could be used as a “jumping off” point for little conversations around any of these points.  My four year old son, loved the pictures and commented on them regularly through the reading of this book.  The book also held the attention of my six year old.

I not only recommend this book to parents of young children, but have an extra copy to give away.  If you would like to be eligible for a copy of this book, please do one of the following:

• Post a comment here indicating interest
• Tweet a comment about this book giveaway, complete with a link to this post
• Post a comment on facebook about this giveaway, with a link pointing back to this post.
• Post a link on your blog pointing your readers back to this post.

Each of these grants you one more entry for an opportunity to receive this book completely FREE.  I will announce the winner of this book on Friday, April 15, 2010.

If you would like to purchase this book, you may do so for $12.99 at Random House: here.

This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.

In an attempt to provide great levity to those who are consumed with college basketball, and in an attempt to work up some passion for the game and March Madness, I submit to you my picks.  There is no real surprise as I pretty much followed the rankings, but I did try to mix it up a bit early on.  So, let me know where I’ve made my mistakes and chosen incorrectly!  If nothing else, I hope to provide a laugh or two, perhaps some sort of Maniacal March Madness laugh…

Midwest Bracket

West Bracket

East Bracket

South Bracket

Finals Bracket

As I browsed my Blog RSS Reader, I saw James MacDonald’s church getting involved with the March Madness.  Check out what their doing:

• “Straight Up” Blog

So, today I charged into walking.  If you know me, you know I won’t go half-way.  So I took off, plugged in my iPod earbuds & listened to Mark Driscoll for company.  I also took my camera in case I saw anything interesting.  I walked right at 3 miles in 1 hour and 1 minute.

Below is the map of my walk and a couple pics I snapped of St.Annes Episcopal Church.  I’m no photographer but it is something I am interested in getting better at.  (edit here: the map idea is not original with me.  Abraham Piper, of 22 words and Downhill Both Ways, regularly posts of his walks with maps.  So hat-tip to him!)

I have synced my blog with my facebook page, but I don’t know if the pictures will come through.  If you are reading this on facebook and not seeing any pics, please click here: (http://wp.me/pmptg-t3) (if the links are inactive, please go to http://www.gracedependent.com, I link through-out my posts)

A couple of thoughts from my note-taking:

• The evidences of God’s grace in the 1/2 brother of Christ, James.  A former scorner and unbeliever, now a leader in the Christian community and author of a New Testament epistle.
• James, a bond-servant (doulos) – a slave to this resurrected Lord, a slave to the One whom he originally thought was crazy, a slave given over to please the Master.
• Joy defined: a deep, abiding, settled happiness from God, despite the circumstances of life.
• “Consider” – to think forward, to plan.  Trials will come.  Most times of life will be accompanied by difficulties of some sort.  On what am I focused?  Am I focused on this present age and the difficulties that surround me, or am I focus on the age to come and the blessed victory found only in Jesus Christ?
• James includes himself as he encourages his readers, “my brethren”.  There is a sense of community here.  There is a need for transparency from leadership to laity when involved in trials.  Use trials as opportunities to teach.
• “Endurance” – staying under the pressure; not collapsing; not using the escape mechanisms of the world
• “Wisdom” – Godly means to Godly ends.  In times of trials I need to be filling myself up with His Word, focused on God and humbly being led by His Spirit.
• How offensive it must be to God when we doubt His power and goodness.

Questions:

1. What are the evidences of God’s grace in the people around you?  (Where do you see God working in their life?  Instead of focusing on their shortcomings or negative qualities, encourage them by telling them of how you see God working in their life)
2. Are you finding your joy in the circumstances of life, or in the character of God?  (It’s easy to tell)
   
3. Plan for trials.  What scripture do you find helpful in times of trials and difficulties?  What aspect of God’s purpose and plan for the future encourages you the most?
4. Where can you find areas to be more transparent to your Christian brothers and sisters, as you are in the midst of trials, so that lessons learned can be had by all?
5. What escape mechanisms of the world do you find tempting to use when trials come?  Drugs?  Food?  TV/Internet/Social networking?  Reading books?  What others might there be?

Additional Resources:

• Humility – C J Mahaney
• The Letter of James – Pillar New Testament Commentary by Douglas Moo – my favorite commentary, so far, on James
• Addictions: Banquet in the Grave by Ed Welch (<- video on addictions)
  

Monday – 9/28 – I arrive at Lutheran Hospital in Ft.Wayne and prep for my surgery.  Surgery was at 1:00pm and took about an hour and half.  The work required was more extensive than first thought, but it seems to be successful.  I’ll leave out all the gritty details, suffice to say that due to the greater work, there is greater pain as a result. I have opportunity to pray with a nurse in the recovery room before going to my final destination.

Tuesday – 9.29 – I am out of bed and walking less than 24 hours after spinal fusion and pars fracture repair.  Physical therapists “encourage” me to get on my feet and surprisingly, it doesn’ t feel all that bad.  I am able to sit in a chair and accept visitors easily.  I walk the entire unit before retiring for bed.  God grants me opportunity to pray and “counsel” with two nurses today as they were in the middle of very trying personal circumstances.

Wednesday – 9/30 – Some time during the night pain engulfed me.  The staff “hook me back up” to morphine and I feel that I am making no progress at all.  It was a very discouraging day.  Nerve pain, due to the extensive work, wracks my legs and hips.  The surgeon requests x-rays to determine if everything still looks good.  Everything appears normal, but the pain level is so high that I cannot go home today.  Morphine drip stays in till Thursday morning.

Thursday – 10/1 – Pain level is decreased.  I am unhooked from all attachments & tubes and even get a shower!  Physical therapists push me as they have me navigate up and down the stairs.  I am able to sit up and feel better than before.  Primary pain is nerve pain, although the lower back is very sore.  I get to go home and feel every bump in the highway during the 60 minute drive.  Almost went back to the hospital at bedtime due to not being able to find a “comfortable” place to sleep.  You would be surprised how low your furniture really is.

Friday – 10/2 – After a very fitful sleep, I awake feeling somewhat better yet.  Left leg is the worse, and lower back on the right side is painful as well.  I receive visitors at home and spend most of my day either: walking laps in the living room, sitting in a high back chair or lying in bed.  Lots of rest today.

Saturday – 10/3 – Pain is lessening, but still somewhat severe.  My strength is what seems to have left me.  I can only manage little walks and any effort on my part causes me to break out in sweat.  But I am feeling even better.  Visitors stop by the house and I can carry on a conversation (almost without wincing!).

Sunday – 10/4 – Praising the Lord for His strength.  Learning to be content with difficulties for Christ’ sake.  Praising God for the grace He has showered on me and my family during these past 7 days.  Looking forward to even greater recovery.  Nerve pain is lessening even more and now it is mostly surgery pain that I am dealing with.

To all who have emailed, commented, posted on facebook or contacted me other ways to inform me that you were praying…thank you.  I prayed, and praised God, for you during my stay at the hospital and my return home.  You, too, were in my prayers.  Thanks again, and may God bless you.

You’ll notice that on the 29th there will be a new book review.  I’ve reviewed Donald Miller’s latest release, A Million Miles in a Thousand Years.  Miller is the author of Blue Like Jazz.

I hope to be able to be regularly posting soon, it will all depend on how I recover from the surgery.  If you follow me on facebook, you may receive more regular (albeit much shorter) updates as I can do so via texting.  I am rejoicing in God’s plan & purpose, and resting in His grace.

Our church is blessed with children who have autism.  God in His sovereignty has given them to their families first, and us as a body of believers secondly.  We also have had other children with special needs come through our doors.  My heart has been burdened for some time to create a ministry for those with special needs in our church; whether they are 2 or 62.  When I opened up this book by Kelly Langston, somewhere that ministry started.  It may not yet be visible to the congregants, but it is visible in my heart and soul.

I immediately identified with Langston as she spoke of her initial knowledge of autism upon her son’s diagnosis.  All she knew about autism was from the movie Rainman – the same for me.  As I read through this compelling book, sometimes tearfully I’ll admit, I was encouraged by Kelly’s constant return to Scripture for comfort, guidance and wisdom.   Each chapter finishes with God’s promises (Promises for Treasure) for parents and caregivers.  Langston provides practical help, spiritual encouragement and introduces the uninformed reader to the world of autism.

I’m taking this book to the parents of children with autism in our church.  I desire to get their take on what Langston has to say.  My prayer is that it would encourage them as it encouraged me.  I also desire to speak with others who have special needs ministries within their church.  I would like to know how they started, what resources they use and other helpful advice on undertaking such a task.  If you would like to assist me in this quest, please contact me through this site.

Kelly Langston also has a facebook page with information on autism.

“The battle for our minds and hearts is won or lost according to our image of God.  Since we reflect what we revel in and become like what we worship; we must know God in His majesty and beauty if we are to become like Him.” (p.74)  How do you see God?  How do the people you interact with on a daily basis see God?  Is He a tyrant, a benevolent dictator, a spineless do-gooder, is He righteous, holy and full of grace?  As you begin to reflect on how your understanding of God impacts your life, attitude, relationships and behavior – be comforted with the goodness of God as Dr.K explains it.  He examines two perspectives of God’s goodness: 1) The Holy Love of God: The Perfection of His Character and 2) The Personage of God: The Capacities of His Personhood

The Holy Love of God:
“That God is holy and loving is foundational to biblical Christianity and to biblical counseling”.  (p.75)  Kellemen acknowledges R.C. Sproul’s work, The Soul’s Quest for God, “…[reminding] us that spiritual directors of the past understood that without spiritual apprehension of God’s glorious excellency (majesty, holiness) and His beauty, no one could exalt or enjoy God”.  (p.75)  As we counsel, either ourselves or others, we must come to the understanding of God’s Holy Love in these four areas:

• Sustaining - It is normal to hurt & your loving God cares
• Healing - It is possible to hope because your Holy God controls
• Reconciling - It is horrible to sin – sin is an affront to a Holy God; It is wonderful to be forgiven – God is loving
• Guiding - It is supernatural to mature because you will be empowered by God’s Holy love to be holy and loving – conformed to this very image of God!

The Personage of God:
“Read any text of Scripture and you will touch the personality of God”.  (p.82)  Dr. Bob examines four aspects of God’s personality as he wraps up chapter 5:

• God is relational: The Romancer Who Loves Passionately
  • “Despite endless infidelity, God expresses eternal fidelity” – p.83.  What a wonderful statement to meditate on and to be convicted by.
  • “God does not wink at sin.  He crucifies it” – p.83.  This brought to mind one of my favorite passages, Colossians 2:14
• God is rational: The Dreamer Who Reflects Wisely
  • “..God not only correctly interprets the actions and motives of His people, He interacts with them in the same creative, imaginative question/answer style Jesus used throughout His earthly ministry” – p.84
  • May we do the same as we counsel and interact with those around us!
• God is volitional: The Creator Who Purposes Responsibly
  • This provides comfort to the questioning soul: “…God guides, directs, and determines His plans and leads His creation according to His purposes” – p.84
• God is emotional: The Singer Who Experiences Fully
  • “Though God experiences responsively and feels deeply, we should not think He is controlled by His emotions, or that He ‘flies off the handle’, or is ‘shocked and rocked’ by our actions”. – p.85
  • How, too, we must be living life making right choices, allowing our feelings to follow.

If you have not yet checked out Soul Physicians at RPM Ministries website, please do.  Dr. Bob Kellemen is also looking for participants to review his latest work, Sacred Friendships, for his upcoming blog tour.  You can find more information about that here.