Thinking about holiness

I haven't really thought about the power of the word "think" in Philippians 4:8 before.

The Bible indicates that our thought lives ultimately determine our character.  Solomon said, "For as he thinks within himself, so he is" (Proverbs 23:7).  And old well-known verse puts it this way:

Sow a thought, reap an act;
Sow an act, reap a habit;
Sow a habit, reap a character.

It is because of the importance of our thought lives that Paul said, "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things" (Philippians 4:8).

As Christians we are no longer to be conformed to the pattern of this world but we are to be renewed in our minds (Romans 12:1-2; Ephesians 4:23; 1 Peter 1:14). Holiness begins in our minds and works out to our actions.  This being true, what we allow to enter our minds is critically important.

From chapter twelve of  The Pursuit of Holiness by Jerry Bridges.

Holiness

A farmer plows his field, sows the seed and fertilises and cultivates - all the while knowing that in the final analysis he is utterly dependent on forces outside of himself.  He knows he cannot cause the seek to germinate, nor can he produce the rain and sunshine for growing and harvesting the crop.  For a successful harvest, he is dependent on these things from God.

Yet the farmer knows that unless he diligently pursues his responsibilities to plow, plant, fertilise and cultivate, he cannot expect a harvest at the end of the season.  In a sense he in in a partnership with God, and he will reap its benefits only when he has fulfilled his own responsibilities.

Farming is a joint venture between God and the farmer.  The farmer cannot do what God must do, and God will not do what the farmer should do.

We say just as accurately that the pursuit of holiness is a joint venture between God and the Christian.  No one can attain any degree of holiness without God working in his life, but just as surely no one will attain it without effort on his own part.  God has made it possible for us to walk in holiness.  But He has given to us the responsibility of doing the walking; he does not do that for us.

From the preface of The Pursuit of Holiness by Jerry Bridges.

And then in chapter three...

God does not require a perfect, sinless life to have fellowship with Him, but He does require that we be serious about holiness, that we grieve over sin in our lives instead of justifying it, and that we earnestly pursue holiness as a way of life.

Respectable Sins by Jerry Bridges

There is a lot to love about this book.

Firstly, the chapters are very short.  I love books with short chapters.  When I check to see how many pages there are until the end of a chapter and find there are still fifty to go I get overwhelmed.  Short chapters are excellent.  (Maybe that is why I like the Bible so much.)

Secondly, Bridges outlines a whole host of sins that we may not even recognise in ourselves.  Am I tempted to think that I have given every part of my life over to God?  Needing to think again.  Here is the list of the sins Bridges covers - ungodliness, anxiety and frustration, discontentment, unthankfulness, pride, selfishness, self-control (lack there of), impatience and irritability, anger, judgmentalism, envy, jealousy, sins of speech and worldliness.  Thinking I don't have a problem with any/some/most of these?  Bridges drills down below the surface and turns up all sorts of every day examples that I hadn't even thought of...and that is why they are "respectable sins" - the sins we tolerate to the point that we cease to recognise them as sinful.

Sounding like a fun book?  Keep reading.

Thirdly, Jerry Bridges has a very strong grasp of God's sovereignty.  A loving sovereign God.   This book provides sound and solid teaching on God's sovereignty alongside the teaching on sin.  Worth reading to be moved once again by God's sovereignty.

Which leads to the fourth - this book is pastoral.  Ligon Duncan, in his commendation for Respectable Sins said, "Jerry Bridges has blessed us with this timely book designed to help us grow in grace and glorify and enjoy God as we ought.  I can't think of any partner with whose help I'd rather tackle my own heart sins than Jerry." And he is right.  I felt like someone was holding my hand and leading me ever so gently through the pages of this book.  I couldn't put it down.  I couldn't wait to read the next chapter.  I felt sad when it came to an end.  A book that was exposing sin after sin.  That is gifted writing.  And that is the wonder of being one of God's children.  Sinful but saved.

I felt encouraged (in the best sense of the word) to take a long, hard look at myself, and confident to do so because the God I long to love and serve with all my heart, soul, mind and strength has loving sovereignty over my life.  He has numbered my days and even the hairs on my head.  He loves me so much that He sent His only Son to die for me to take the punishment for all that sin.  Why wouldn't I want to tackle this sinfulness given the hope found in the cross of Jesus, given to us by a sovereign and loving God.

Loved this book.

Sin

Sin is a spiritual and moral malignancy.  Left unchecked, it can spread through our entire inner being and contaminate every area of our lives.  Even worse, it often will "metastasize" from us into the lives of other believers around us.  None of us lives on a spiritual or social island.  Our attitudes, words and actions, and oftentimes even our private unspoken thoughts, tend to have an effect on those around us.

Paul must have had this concept in mind when he wrote, "Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear" (Ephesians 4:29).  Our speech, whether it is about others or to others, tends to tear down or build up.  It either corrupts the minds of our hearers, or it gives grace to them.  Such is the power of our words.  If I gossip, I both tear down another person and corrupt the mind of my listener.  If I complain about the difficult circumstances of my life, I impugn the sovereignty and goodness of God and tempt my listener to do the same.  In this way, my sin "metastasizes" into the heart of another person.

From Respectable Sins by Jerry Bridges, page 23.

That moment when...

That moment when I finished my first ever set of school reports, drove straight to a friend's house, put on my tape (yes...cassette tape) of Mozart's Clarinet Concerto and sank into her sofa to the strains of that perfect first movement of the perfect concerto, a huge job behind me and knowing that writing school reports would never be THAT hard again...relaxation.

That moment when I sipped the cup of tea - Harrod's Elderflower and Champagne Tea, no less - served in a fine bone china cup and saucer...bliss.

That moment when I had breakfast out at a restaurant ON A SCHOOL DAY and then came home and danced around the house to "Forever Young" (The Corrs version) because it was the first day of my long service leave...glee.

That moment when I realised, in the dark back streets of Bologna, that I had walked myself off my map having read it upside down...lost.

That moment when I came out of the electrical goods store with my first vacuum cleaner...grown up.

That moment when the real estate agent said our offer on the house had been accepted and no, there weren't going to be counter-offers and counter-counter-offers and yes, the house (and the mortgage) was ours...disbelief.  And slight queasiness.

That moment when I came up the escalator to the waiting area to catch the plane with 20 school children in my charge behind me and saw the faces of all the other adults also waiting to catch that plane drop as they saw the 20 children who would be joining them on the flight...mirth.

That moment when those twenty children, none of whom had ever caught a plane before, let out a collective squeal as the plane took off...priceless.

That moment when I played the whole of the Mozart Flute Concerto, accompanied by an orchestral backing track, completely from memory...sublime.

That moment when, a day later, I played that concerto and three other substantial pieces for a flute exam and failed...gutted.

That moment when I surveyed the contents of my car boot - the things gathered in the moment of forced decision on being evacuated against the threat of bushfire -  defining.

That moment when I prayed to God and said yes, I wanted to live my life fully under His authority - freedom, and the most important moment.

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This is my post for Prompted to Write on the topic of "That Moment When..."  If you would like to join in and write a post on this topic (and take it where you want to) go here for instructions on how to participate.



Status Report: March

Running: a bit late because of the Prompted to Write post yesterday.  And looking forward to seeing how it all unfolds.

Eating: a fresh peach.

Drinking: tea.  Decaf tea.  And it is OK.

Reading: Leviticus, Psalms in the 40s, Proverbs 10 and Mark.

Also reading: Communion with God by John Owen.  Well, perhaps reading is a somewhat loose term.  I have the bookmark in at the beginning of the fourth chapter and it's been there for quite a while.  Made a good start and felt myself resting into God's goodness, sovereignty, love, might and power.  But reading time has been somewhat elusive this last week or two. 

Watching: Lost in Austen. It's great viewing - a wonderful companion on ironing nights.  And having read Pride and Prejudice lately, all the more clever than the last time I watched it.

Pondering: over one of the most useful things I read on the internet last year (well, it is the thing that has stuck and it's a shame that I can't remember where I read it) - that when young people aren't towing the line, as it were, they may be needing evangelism rather than discipleship.  Telling a young person that what they are doing isn't honouring to God (or whatever language you want to use) could well be met with eye rolling (or worse) if they haven't apprehended the good news of Jesus for themselves.  They need evangelism, not discipleship.  Great wisdom.

Feeling: oh so very fit.  Well, a bit fitter than I was a month ago, having joined a gym when school went back.  One of those 24/7 ones with no classes, not many staff (or staffed hours), just lots of machines that they house and maintain. There are some machines that I WILL NEVER USE and I said so to the man who was giving me the guided tour.  In the end he got the drift and was saying, "Now this one, well, we won't bother with that one because you probably won't be using it."  And of one in particular he said, "Now, don't ever use this one.  There are others that will achieve the same things and you are better off using them.  This one will be plain dangerous for you."  I was more than happy to hear him say that.  And am happily riding the exercise bike (10km at level five) and rowing the rowing machine (1km at level 10.)  It's a start.  I've probably done more exercise in February than I did last year. 

Convinced: that day time television is TERRIBLE.  I don't watch TV.  At all.  Especially during the day.  (I watch DVDs when I do the ironing and we watch an episode of Bear Grylls each week as a family, but that is all.)  But at the gym I have been channel surfing with the little screen on the bike.  And I have concluded that day time television is dreadful.  It is easy to see how shut ins and stay at homes who turn to the television for company can become depressed.   Going to start listening to music and sermons from now on. 

Chuffed: with my cooking efforts.  Went in with a blaze of glory and introduced six new recipes within ten days.  Especially loving Donna Hay's fish poached in tomato and basil.  And pork san chow boy is excellent but it is important to follow the recipe regarding the amount of ginger.  Everyone has taken to new foods well.  However I peaked too quickly and didn't try anything new during February.  So it is probably time to pull out the books and find some more recipes to try before I get stuck in a new cooking rut.

Thankful: to God for all the things, big and small, that He has given me to fill my days.  And thankful day by day for strength and health to do them. 

Making that transition

On Saturday I went to a conference for people involved in children's ministry.  It's an annual event - I went last year and then wrote this post about helping children to transition from kids church into the life of the big church. 

This year's keynote speaker spoke in passing about the transition topic and said that in his church, at the end of primary school, he was taken aside (the end of his time in Sunday School) and asked, "Now that you are finishing up with Sunday School and moving to church, what do you think you would like to do to serve the church?"   He gave an answer and over the next three years was taken under the relevant person's wing and trained up for that particular area of service.  By the time he was into his last couple of years of high school he was a fully functional, serving member of his church and has never looked back.

He assumed, as he grew up, that this is what all churches did (and do.)  But they don't. 

It's so simple.  It's so obvious that it seems almost silly to even mention it.  And yet I am so glad he said it in all its simplicity.

And this summer's reading

Crossing to Safety by Wallace Stegner.  Brilliant.  Looking forward to reading it again at some stage.  In the meantime, if anyone local wants to borrow my copy, let me know.

Which prompted me to reread Gilead by Marilynne Robinson.  It's still good.

And then there was Jane Austen.  I received this gorgeous anthology for Christmas. 

I have watched lots of films and television series of Jane Austen adaptations as well as various spin offs.  But as it happens I haven't ever read any of her actual words.  I should have read Emma at university but that particular course operated at the rate of a one novel per week for the whole year alongside another unit I was doing that also involved reading a novel each week (and not the same novel) - and so Emma was one that slipped through the net.  (Not much to contribute during that tutorial.)  This anthology presents JA's novels in order of their publication.  So far I have read Sense and Sensibility and Pride and Prejudice.  Turns out that I serendipitously read the closing chapters of P&P on day of its 200th anniversary.  Currently reading Mansfield Park.  It did take me a while to settle into her style but I am happily there now and looking forward to the rest.  (And you know that you have settled into the style when you spontaneously answer your husband's text message, "Can you come and get me now?" with "We shall set out soon.")

I also reread How to Really Love your Child by Ross Campbell.  Interestingly I came upon some details that didn't sit all that comfortably on this second read through.  However they were just details and in essence I still think this book is excellent.  It was definitely worth reading through it again and I am glad to be reminded of all the good principles held therein.  I will be reading this annually until such time as I need to be reading How to Really Love Your Teenager annually instead, which in fact is not that far off in one case.

This summer

The boys are back to school today.  It has been 47 days since they were last at school and we have had a ball.   So nice to get to the end of the long summer break not counting down the minutes until the dulcet tones of the morning SCHOOL'S STARTING siren can be heard across the neighbourhood.  (It hasn't always been like this.)  Here's a glimpse of the last 47 days. 

Christmas - tree and house decorating, cooking, shopping, wrapping, unwrapping, singing, reading, praying, teaching, reflecting, visiting, celebrating.

 

 

Saw "Les Mis" (not for everyone but I loved the stage production and I loved the film), "The Hobbit" (wonderful to be wandering around Middle Earth for a couple of hours), "Wreck it Ralph" (better than hoped for) and "Quartet" (a must see for fans of "Marigold Hotel".) 

Successfully managed to avoid kids' films with zombies central to the storyline.

Ate fish and chips by the beach.

 

Had a glorious two week holiday housesitting for friends who went elsewhere for holidays.  (Thanks again dear ones.)  We live near the hills and our friends live near the ocean.  The two week seachange worked for us.

 

Took the Smooth Chopper with us on holidays.

 

Watched "Brideshead Revisited."  It's still marvellous.  And that soundtrack...

 

 

Purchased a beautiful 3/4 sized violin.

 

Celebrated my birthday five times over a period of 17 days.  Pretty funny for one who actually likes to keep a low profile.

 

Watched lots of swimming lessons - pool and beach lessons - and over the course of the summer swam in five different pools and at two different beaches.

 

Enjoyed reunions with friends home for Christmas from other parts of Australia, England and China.

 

Tried several new recipes.  Some were received better than others.

 

Discovered chai lattes.
 

Started my new Bible reading plan - daily reading from the Old Testament, Psalms, Proverbs and the New Testament and getting through each of these once in the year.  This plan represents the smallest Bible reading load I've given myself for several years, despite there being four sections to read each day.  I'm enjoying taking my time with smaller chunks.

 

Rode down a fairly long and fast water slide and lived to tell the tale.

 

And read some books...but that is for another post.

 

 

And all the usual (you know, that housework type stuff that keeps things up and running)...but that goes without saying and is barely blogworthy.

Bringing in the new year

When is it the new year for you?  I chatted with a friend in early January about when the new year really kicks in.  For some the new year starts on 1st January.  That makes sense. 

For some it is a little more fluid.  The new year starts when they go back to work after the Christmas break, which may be before 1st Janaury or sometime in January. 

In my head the new year starts on the 27th December the year before.  There's Christmas.  Then there is that gorgeously quiet and still day that follows Christmas.  And then on the 27th December I put my head back up and I am into my new diary for the following year.  I am finished with the previous year's diary.  Tired of the old, bent out of shape, scribbled all over one.  Ready to open the brand new, crisp and clean diary.  (And I must boast...this year I have THE perfect diary.)

But then there is tomorrow, when for us, school returns.  And then all the midweek school, church and community activities kick into action.  It's feeling a bit like New Year's Eve around here.  Except that we won't be staying up until midnight.  And it must be true because today I wrote two cheques and almost put 2012 on both of them!

Status Report: February

Back: on the grid again after being away on holidays for a couple of weeks.  Did you miss me?

Reinstating: the Status Report...and wondering if anyone else out there in blogosphere would like to join me in writing status reports at the beginning of each month.  You know, as a bit of a blogosphere community building exercise.

Copying: Rebecca

Wondering:  if anyone will join in another blogosphere community building exercise that I've cooked up recently as well. Have been having a few little ideas while I was away. Stay posted.

Eating: nothing...and dinner was nothing to write home about either.  Only got back home today and Old Mother Hubbard's cupboard was bare.  Going shopping tomorrow.

Drinking: water.  With lots of ice blocks.

Reading: Exodus, Psalms (in the 20s), Proverbs chapter 6 and Matthew in the current Bible reading plan.

Also reading: Mansfield Park by the lovely Jane Austen.

Thankful: for great summer holidays this year.  We've had a ball.  Apart from one patch after Christmas the weather hasn't been unbearably hot this time around.  Feeling rested, restored and ready to go.  The year is about to begin in earnest.

Looking forward: to running a workshop at a conference for people involved in children's ministries next weekend.  My workshop - the gleanings of 15 years in the classroom...all those helpful little tips and tricks that teachers have like not saying, "Who wants to play a game now?" because that leads to a) raucousness and b) divided unruliness when some say yes and some say no.  Best just to say, "We are playing a game now" without giving an option.  Twenty tips help Scripture teachers maximise their teaching time and minimise their need to discipline. 

Unsure: as to how I'll finish this post off without it seeming too abrupt. 

Deciding: to go with the abrupt ending.  Got to do some other things before bedtime.

Tutorial needed

So, supposing I wanted to take a photo like this one...

 

...and then add some text onto the actual photo, how actually would I go about doing that?  Could some kind, savvy soul please either write a set of instructions (free of fancy computer-speak) in the comments section or even write a tutorial on their own blog and then let me know?  That would be great.  Thank you. Mx

A New Year's prayer from Valley of Vision

O Lord,

Length of days does not profit me
   except the days that are passed in thy presence,
   in thy service, to thy glory.
Give me a grace that precedes, follows, guides,
   sustains, sanctifies, aids every hour,
that I may not be one moment apart from thee,
but may rely on thy Spirit
   to supply every thought,
   speak in every word,
   direct every step,
   prosper every work,
   build up every mote of faith,
   and give me a desire
      to show forth thy praise;
      testify thy love;
      advance thy kingdom.
I launch my bark upon the unknown waters of this year,
   with thee, O Father, as my harbour,
   thee, O Son, as my helm,
   thee, O Holy Spirit, filling my sails.
Guide me to heaven with my loins girt,
   my lamp burning,
   my ear open to thy calls,
   my heart full of love,
   my soul free.
Give me thy grace to sanctify me,
   thy comforts to cheer,
   thy wisdom to teach,
   thy right hand to guide,
   thy counsel to instruct,
   thy law to judge.
   thy presence to stabilise.
May thy fear be my awe,
   thy triumphs my joy.

Amen

 

 

From Valley of Vision (edited by Arthur Bennett) page 206.