…from Douglas Wilson

As we consider the meaning of the death of Jesus—intended by God as the death of all envy—and the power of His resurrection, intended as the basis for the proclamation of the gospel of life, what should we do? In the light of this, how should we live in community with one another?

Here is a fundamental rule of thumb to test whether you are living in accordance with gospel logic. What is your attitude toward people who excel you in anything? It might be the creation of wealth, it might be artistic giftedness, or it might be their ability to live comfortably with others. It could be anything. What is your attitude toward that? Does that kind of thing cause you to spur yourself on in glad imitation? Do you rejoice in what God has given to others? Do you want to grow to be like that, joining them in the pursuit of God-honoring excellence?

Or do you carp and criticize? Do you accuse them of cheating? Do you search out those who have conspired to make you come in third? Do you goad yourself with an envy prod to help you try to catch up with them? And if that is not possible, do you try to drag them down to your level, if only in your heart?

It is this attitude that the cross of Christ puts to death. And when it is put to death, a great deal of the trouble in the world is put to death along with it. Christians who understand gospel logic should be, taking one thing with another, the most accomplished and least envious people in the world. That is what the cross represents and means.

To my friend, a kingly man who is ever growing in the wisdom, character, and likeness of our Lord Jesus Christ

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Not a person reading this has to struggle with the temptations that other people have. Yet every person reading this does in fact have to struggle against the temptations that present themselves, daily, to you.

Now as we all seek to establish our walk with Christ, one of the perennial temptations will be to evaluate ourselves based upon our relative freedom from the snares that have caught others. All of us could be hanging upside down, every ankle ensnared by the devil’s traps, and all of us gently bobbing, and our temptation would still be to think, “Well, at least I wasn’t caught by a gray rope like he was.” Or “at least I wasn’t caught by a three/quarter inch rope.” Well, good job all around! Shall we have prizes?

The lustful man tells himself that at least he is not proud. The proud man tells himself that at least he is not lazy. The vain woman is pleased that she is, at least, not a slattern. The diligent woman despises the one who keeps a low tone.

Now there is a standard that applies to all. The realization for us ought not to be a relativistic one. But the standard that applies to all is the holy Scripture, as interpreted and applied by Christ. And there is no way to place anyone else under that standard without coming under it yourself. There is a way to quote snippets out of the Bible, about lust or laziness, covetousness or pride, whatever the other guy is doing, in order to manufacture a convenient standard that has the veneer of holiness all over it. So as we guard our hearts against this, remember that we must bow before Christ, and He is not a territorial god. He is the Lord of heaven and earth.

Two hour sanctuary

…had a great breakfast time with a dear friend this morning.

I taught him growing up; now he teaches me. We’ve both made mistakes - grace.

Computer repair, fail. Pancakes, win. Dialogue, out of this world.

I don’t spend nearly enough time with him. What would be enough time? Eternity.

I’m a reformer; he’s a revolutionary - two different ways, both focused on the same outcome: a coming glory.

We both love art, music, beauty.
- moreso we both love justice and mercy.
- moreso we both love freedom and life.
- even moreso, and under girding it all, we both love each other.
…and that is why, my friends, he and I are going to change this world!

For your consideration:

Love the quick profit, the annual raise,
vacation with pay. Want more
of everything ready-made. Be afraid
to know your neighbors and to die.
And you will have a window in your head.
Not even your future will be a mystery
any more. Your mind will be punched in a card
and shut away in a little drawer.
When they want you to buy something
they will call you. When they want you
to die for profit they will let you know.

So, friends, every day do something
that won’t compute. Love the Lord.
Love the world. Work for nothing.
Take all that you have and be poor.
Love someone who does not deserve it.
Denounce the government and embrace
the flag. Hope to live in that free
republic for which it stands.
Give your approval to all you cannot
understand. Praise ignorance, for what man
has not encountered he has not destroyed.

Ask the questions that have no answers.
Invest in the millenium. Plant sequoias.
Say that your main crop is the forest
that you did not plant,
that you will not live to harvest.
Say that the leaves are harvested
when they have rotted into the mold.
Call that profit. Prophesy such returns.

Put your faith in the two inches of humus
that will build under the trees
every thousand years.
Listen to carrion - put your ear
close, and hear the faint chattering
of the songs that are to come.
Expect the end of the world. Laugh.
Laughter is immeasurable. Be joyful
though you have considered all the facts.
So long as women do not go cheap
for power, please women more than men.
Ask yourself: Will this satisfy
a woman satisfied to bear a child?
Will this disturb the sleep
of a woman near to giving birth?

Go with your love to the fields.
Lie down in the shade. Rest your head
in her lap. Swear allegiance
to what is nighest your thoughts.
As soon as the generals and the politicos
can predict the motions of your mind,
lose it. Leave it as a sign
to mark the false trail, the way
you didn’t go. Be like the fox
who makes more tracks than necessary,
some in the wrong direction.
Practice resurrection.

- Wendell Berry, “Manifesto: The Mad Farmer Liberation Front” from The Country of Marriage, copyright © 1973

Yeh, I am getting excited about teaching a 10-week Sunday School class to the high school / young adults.

I am hoping to brainwash them. Eph. 4:22-24

The topic is “Don’t Waste Your Life”. Loosely based on the book by John Piper, we are going to be looking at how to redeem the time we have here on this earth and make it really count. I was emotionally stirred in this vein during my lunch break today when I cracked open “More Miracles We Have Seen” by our friends Jack & Winona Terry. The first few chapters highlighted some of my peers and work they have done in concert with the Terrys that has already borne much fruit. Wow, hallelujah!

From the dontwasteyourlife.com website tonight - Trip Lee interviewed on current culture and the distracting influences we are dealing with. As a bonus, for those of you who are loving the Holy Hip Hop scene, the Jesus Muzic vid from Lecrae and Trip Lee is appended to the interview. Okay, peace and grace to you through Jesus Christ. - KC

Gary Haugen of International Justice Mission is interviewed by The New Yorker. I really admire the work of IJM and appreciate Gary’s replies to the questions posed. Further on and farther in…