Sing and Rejoice!

I just spent over an hour here at home playing the piano and enjoying some good, ol’ Black gospel songs—the kind of music I just don’t hear anymore (unless I’m playing it!). I also played some old cassette recordings of church choirs from the past that I’ve directed and played for. It was good to hear some music I’ve not thought about for some time, and just sing and play along with the tapes and, through my music-making, rejoice in God.

I happen to believe that God enjoys syncopated rhythms and bluesy chords, like I do. I also think God enjoys toe-tapping, hand-clapping Black gospel music. I don’t even think God is bothered when someone, out of sincere joy in Christ, “cuts a step”, and dances before Him! God knows I love fine choral music and hymns. For instance, this afternoon, I attended a very enjoyable concert by a Chicago-area college choir that was given at a church a few miles away. It was a great way to spend a portion of my Sunday afternoon, listening to music by Mozart and Brahms and Moses Hogan. And then, there was this morning, at my own church, when I was substituting for our organist. We sang that great old Wesleyan hymn, “And Can It Be”; and, you know, I just love pulling out the 32’ pedal stop and making that organ rumble as we lift our voices on that final refrain:

Amazing love! How can it be that Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?

My Lord! I don’t know how one can not be stirred by that hymn! So, yes, I love “proper” church music of all kinds.

On the other hand, I also love that music that I learned at home from my “folks”: that good old-fashioned Black gospel music that I used to hear in church. Tonight, I sat down at the piano and laid into some “Come On, Children, Let’s Sing”:

Come on, children, let’s sing about the goodness of the Lord!
Come on, children, let’s shout all about God’s rich reward:
How He guides our footsteps every day,
Keeps us walking in the narrow way.
Come on, children, let’s sing,
Come on, children, let’s shout
About the Lord Almighty that brought us out—
There’s none like Him, without a doubt!
Come on, children, let’s sing about the goodness of the Lord!

If you can listen to that kind of music and not, at least, tap a toe, you must be dead! The music makes you want to move! I tell you, I had that Steinway rocking! I even broke a sweat! But, that’s all right, too. Whether stately hymns or foot-stomping gospel music, I believe it’s all pleasing to the Lord. After all, this is what I read:

Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth!
Serve the LORD with gladness!
Come into his presence with singing! (Psalm 100:1-2)

Clap your hands, all peoples!
Shout to God with loud songs of joy! (Psalm 47:1)

Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works!
Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice! (Psalm 105:2-3)

As we launch into another week, I encourage you to be glad, and rejoice in the Lord. Rejoice, not because things are going well with you—in fact, things might be going quite badly—but, rejoice because of who God is and because He’s had mercy on you. And sing to Him. Literally, sing to Him. Your voice, singing God’s praise, is sweet music to His ears. And, if you feel so moved (and no one’s watching), I don’t think God would mind one bit if you just danced for joy before Him. However you choose to express yourself, determine this week to celebrate God!

“Help yourself” to these links

Because of a lack of time, lately I’ve been doing quite a bit of linking at this blog. For the next week, I’m officially on Spring Break from the school district, so I hope to catch up on my sleep and do some real writing soon. In the meantime, here are some more links that I hope you will take time to peruse. There is some truly good and edifying material out there on the Web. My hope is that you would be challenged by what you read here to think biblically, and by it to be “built up in [Christ] and established in the faith” (Colossians 2:7). So, please, help yourself.

Thabiti Anyabwile of “Pure Church” continues his series of meditations on “The Pastor’s Heart in Paul’s Letters”, Part 4. This is good stuff.

Desiring God Blog follows up John Piper’s post on hearing the voice of God by answering the question, “Does God Speak Outside the Bible?” I say, “Yes!” But, I want you to make up your own mind. Read the views and Scriptural explanations of John Piper and the folks at Desiring God and see if they make a convincing case for God’s speaking outside Scripture.

Dan Edelen of “Cerulean Sanctum” has posted a series on “Mysticism” (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3). To those who are inclined to have a strong bias against the topic, I would say, hear him out. If you’re familiar with the writings of the late A.W. Tozer, you’re familiar with Tozer’s view of “Christian Mysticism”. Edelen is writing along these lines.

Douglas Groothuis gives “Thoughts on Reading” or how to become a better reader. After reading sometime ago that Dr. Al Mohler reads up to 7 books per week, I feel like I need to step up my pace. So many books, but so little time! Anyway, Dr. Groothuis gives us some helpful suggestions.

The “Ephesians 4:14” blog posts an article on how to be a better listener to sermons. We could all benefit by putting these suggestions into practice.

Finally, at “The Shepherd’s Scrapbook”, Tony Reinke recounts an old story by Charles Spurgeon, as an encouragement to preachers: “Tell them that again”.

A matter that begs for concern and prayer

Please read this article by Anthony Bradley: “107 Dead Russian Miners Brings Perspective”. Let’s remember these bereaved families in prayer.

Some more good reading

Adrian Warnock continues his series on preaching with a quote from Thabiti Anyabwile, entitled “Multicolored Preaching”.

Meanwhile, at “Pure Church”, Thabiti Anyabwile continues his series of meditations on “A Pastor’s Heart in Paul’s Letters, Part 2 & Part 3.

Finally, at the Desiring God Blog, John Piper has posted an article that affirms a truth that probably needs to be reasserted more in the evangelical church today, entitled “The Morning I Heard the Voice of God”. Read it all the way to the end, and thank God for giving us the Scriptures.

Good and profitable reading to build up God’s people

Here are some links to several worthwhile blog posts. I encourage you to check them out. I think you will find them profitable.

Phil Johnson, at “Pyromaniacs”, posts an excerpt from a sermon by the 19th century British preacher, Charles Spurgeon. Their post, “A Recipe for Church Growth”, is a good remedy for the present-day preoccupation with church growth “methods”.

Adrian Warnock quotes the late Martyn Lloyd-Jones, asking, “Dead Orthodoxy or An Encounter With God?”

Over at “Pure Church”, Thabiti Anyabwile) posted a meditation pastors should be interested in: “The Pastor’s Heart in Paul’s Letters”.

Dan Edelen, of “Cerulean Sanctum”, writes about “The Holy Who?” To what he writes, I say a hearty, “Amen!”

The “Black Creole Reformer”, Scotty Williams, has posted “The Truth About Christian Conversion”.

At “The Purple Cellar”, Jennifer Redman has posted “What’s In Your Hand?” (Part 1). Men, it’s all right, you know, to read a blog written by a woman. Go on, and check it out!

At “Between Two Worlds”, Justin Taylor links to an article by Curtis “Voice” Allen, writing about the criticisms he received for performing a rap at John Piper’s church, Bethlehem Baptist in Minneapolis (he was invited, by the way). “Voice” has a good word for all of us on how we should handle criticism.

The blog at “Na—New Attitude” has a link to “Interrogating the Legalist Within”, an article by C.J. Mahaney. I constantly need to be reminded of this truth that Mahaney writes about. Read the article; I think you will find it a blessing to your soul, also.

And, finally, there’s always a whole bunch of good stuff to read, study and learn from—that will also aid you in understanding God’s word—at Desiring God and Monergism.com. And most of it is FREE. Be sure to bookmark these pages and check them out when you have time. You won’t regret it.

Concerning John Newton, Conferences and Chicago…

At “Between Two Worlds”, Justin Taylor posts “Counsel from John Newton” and Newton’s answer to the question, “Why does God permit sin?”

Dan Edelen (“Cerulean Sanctum”) has a word to say to all of us Christians who attend Christian conferences. Read it well; what he writes is worth thinking about.

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Speaking of conferences: For the most part, with the exception of taking off a day or two to attend part of Moody Bible Institute’s Founder’s Week Conference in February (which is free), I rarely attend conferences. Hourly or daily employees, like me, can’t afford to take off time from work to travel to California or Florida or Philadelphia or Minneapolis. What do evangelical groups have against Chicago? People in Chicago need solid Bible teaching, too! Plus, for just the price of gasoline, my 14-year-old car and I can easily get to Chicago (and I can go home every night and sleep in my own bed, saving myself the cost of a hotel). Just a thought.

Spotted in the blogosphere…

Albert Mohler addresses the subject of “Family Time versus Church Time”.

On the Desiring God Blog, John Piper writes further reflections from the funeral sermon for his father by answering the question, “How do you press on to make it your own?”, based on Philippians 3:12.

Also posted are Piper’s “Strategies for Fighting Lust”.

Finally, Justin Taylor opens the floor for a discussion of eschatology with a sample chapter, from an upcoming book on eschatology by Dr. Sam Storms, titled “Problems with Premillennialism”. If you asked me, I’d probably side with the Amillennialists, although I’m still working through this issue of eschatology. But, don’t listen to me; read the link to Dr. Storms’ chapter.

I’m back!

It really is difficult to find time to blog!

I’m sorry I’ve been away so long—something like seven days (a long time, for me). Between family, work, job search, sermon preparation (I preached last Sunday as a guest at New Life Fellowship, and I’m preaching there again this coming Sunday), my wife needing the computer to enter grades for the classes she teaches, or just being plain tired, I’ve not been able to get around to writing. I even have questions and comments from two readers, Lance and Deborah (Thanks for writing!), in response to one of my posts during Black History Month (February), that I have yet to answer. I haven’t forgotten! I just need to spend some time thinking about a response (and then find time to sit down and write it). So, please bear with me.

Some may wonder what I do to support my family. Since February of last year, my main employment is being a daily (or permanent) substitute teacher at one of the campuses of our local high school, which happens to be, literally, just down the street from our home. It’s a fulltime job—doesn’t pay much—but it’s something to do. In the meantime, I’ve been looking for open high school choral music teaching positions within reasonable commuting distance from our home, but those are fairly hard to come by in Chicagoland. Usually, one has to wait for someone already in that position to retire, move, get fired…or die.

While I’m on this subject, here’s something you can pray about: About three days ago, I learned of openings (and sent in the online applications) for three different positions (which, let me tell you, is a large number of openings for this region). Combined with the two I’d already applied for, I am now hoping and praying to hear from at least one of five schools. I’m especially interested in two of these school districts because of good pay (which would really be helpful), the reasonable driving distance from home, and the community support for performing arts in school. So, if you feel led, please pray that some school administrator would be interested enough in me to invite me to interview (public school districts in this region pretty much operate on the philosophy of “don’t call us; we’ll call you”). Thanks, in advance, for your prayers!

As a substitute teacher, I often have time on my hand, so that’s when I do most of my reading. Today I was reading John Piper’s recent book, Amazing Grace in the Life of William Wilberforce (Crossway Books, 2006). Another two periods of hall duty, and I think I could have finished it. Anyway, there were a few sentences about Wilberforce that grabbed my attention. Consider the following (the bold print is my emphasis):

“There was a ray of hope in 1804 that things might be moving to a success (three years before it [the abolition of the British slave trade] actually came), but Wilberforce wrote, ‘I have been so often disappointed, that I rejoice with trembling and shall scarcely dare to be confident till I actually see the Order in the Gazette.’ But these repeated defeats of his plans did not defeat him. His adversaries complained that ‘Wilberforce jumped up whenever they knocked him down.’ One of them in particular put it like this: ‘It is necessary to watch him as he is blessed with a very sufficient quantity of that Enthusiastic spirit, which is so far from yielding that it grows more vigorous from blows.’” (p. 47)

“He sustained himself and swayed others by his joy. If a man can rob you of your joy, he can rob you of your usefulness. Wilberforce’s joy was indomitable and therefore he was a compelling Christian and politician all his life. This was the strong root of his endurance.” (p. 61)

Even as I type these quotes, my attention is drawn to what Piper says about Wilberforce and how that applies to me. I don’t know about you, but I’ve “been there”: defeated by repeated defeats and robbed of my joy. I don’t want to go “there” again; it’s horrible. I think every true believer in Christ wants to be useful to the Lord. “If a man can rob you of your joy, he can rob you of your usefulness.” Think about that! That makes me want to hold on tight to the joy that I have and cultivate a greater and deeper joy in God, that I may be “useful to the master” (2 Timothy 2:20-21).

“Honor your father and your mother…”

Dr. John Piper’s father, Rev. William Solomon Hottle Piper, died yesterday morning, Tuesday, March 6, at about midnight. John Piper was at his father’s hospital bedside when he died. On the Desiring God Blog today, John Piper has posted his journal entry narrating his father’s death. I recommend you read it; it is a tremendously touching tribute to a godly, faithful father by his loving son. For that reason alone, it is worth the read.

But, I have two other personal reasons to recommend you read Piper’s account of his father’s death. As I read it today I thought, “I hope my sons can say these things about me when I die”, if the Lord wills that I precede them in death. Let your mind ponder the questions that have been on my mind today: What will those who know me best say about me when I’m gone? What kind of father, husband, Christian have I been?

Secondly, for those of you whose parents are living, may Piper’s account be an encouragement to love and honor your parents while you have the chance. If your parents don’t know the Lord, pray and seek opportunities to talk with them about their souls and share the gospel. If they are believers, take the time to let them know how the Lord has used them to influence your life toward God.

Actually, reading Piper’s account was painful for me. Although my biological parents are living, I’ve never lived with either one. They were unwed teenagers when I came into the world, and never parented me. My “parents”—the ones who actually parented me—were my great grandparents. They died in 1986 and 1989. My pain relates to my great grandfather’s death. He died at home. For various reasons, my great grandfather and I had a lot of interpersonal struggles, especially from my adolescence onward. Less than two days before he died, in an angry rage, I said some very hateful and hurtful things to him. I won’t bother with the details of what would be a very long and complicated story, except to say I acted immaturely, dishonorably, shamefully and sinfully. The venom I spewed forth out of my mouth that day still hung in the air the night he died. I have long since confessed my sin to the Lord, but to my dying day, I will regret every vile syllable I uttered in anger.

Reading John Piper’s tender account of his final moments with his father brought back to my mind my shame as my great grandfather was dying (although, truth be told, it’s never that far from my mind). This is why I encourage those of you whose parents are living: Please, love and honor your parents, and let them know how much you appreciate them while you have the opportunity. Although he was far from perfect, I can now say, as a 40-something-year-old man, I love and appreciate my great grandfather. Unfortunately, I don’t think he ever knew that. My opportunity is long gone. Don’t make the same mistake I did.

However, if you find yourself with similar regrets, I encourage you to turn to the word of God. If the one you’ve sinned against is in heaven, he or she is not troubled with memories of the pain you inflicted. The Bible says, “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes…, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away” (Revelation 21:4). “They will see his face…” (Revelation 22:4), and the sight of our Lord will be more than enough to banish the memory of any pain or grief you caused. On the other hand, if the one you sinned against is in hell, (and this is not meant to be flippant) they have far worse things to worry about! Your sin infinitely pales in comparison to the eternal, just torments of hell. If the person you sinned against is deceased and your opportunity to apologize to them is gone, what you need to do is confess your sin to God. Seek the forgiveness that Christ purchased with His blood for everyone who savingly trusts in Him.

An appreciation for God-ordained diversity

I hope the time I spent last month venting my “Black self” was helpful in letting you know a little more about me, as well as giving you a tiny glimpse into what it’s like to be a Black person in an evangelical context. Others “out there” in the blogosphere have expressed the opinion that our identity in Christ should take precedence over race, culture, nationality, etc. I agree, but…the fact is, we’re human, fallen creatures of flesh. Denying my racial identity is kind of like denying the flesh.

Let me explain by using this example of a prominent teaching of the 19th century Wesleyan Holiness movement. According to many of the leaders of the Holiness movement, there was an experience into which the believer could enter, called “entire sanctification”. Entire sanctification was considered a “second work of grace” in which the believer was filled with the Holy Spirit, and the sin nature eradicated. Taking quite seriously the words of Galatians 5:16—“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh”—advocates of Wesleyan Holiness believed they had achieved an experience in which they could no longer sin. While I am sympathetic to the spiritual aims of the Holiness movement (what believer wouldn’t want to be utterly free from sin?), it erred in underestimating the pervasiveness of sin and misunderstanding the nature of the “flesh”. Sin has infected every aspect of our being. Even our best efforts are tainted with sin. The only way to eradicate the flesh would be to eradicate ourselves, so closely bound together is the flesh with our very persons.

I find the same thing to be true with our racial identities. Through faith in Jesus Christ, I am a new creation in Christ, indwelt by the Spirit of Christ, an adopted son of God, and an heir of eternal life. Yet my racial and cultural identity as a Black American is so interwoven with my human personality until I don’t see how it is possible, on this side of eternity, to completely separate my cultural identity from my spiritual identity. In fact, I suggest that those White believers who criticize Blacks for “wearing their race on their sleeve” don’t successfully separate their White American cultural identity from their spiritual identity. In fact, I would further suggest that the two are so closely interwoven that most White Christians cannot even see how deeply their expressions of Christianity have been affected by White American culture (but, we non-Whites can see it!).

However, I am not criticizing. Rather, I am suggesting that it’s unrealistic to try to entirely eliminate racial and cultural influences. Why should “minorities” be forced to give up who they are racially and culturally when Whites aren’t even able to do that? And I’m not convinced that God ever wanted us to ignore our racial and cultural differences. Consider these verses of Scripture:

Galatians 3:28
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

Revelation 5:8-10
And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.”

Revelation 7:9-10
After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”

Theological liberals and evangelical feminists usually take Galatians 3:28 to mean that all distinctions are erased in Christ Jesus. But, when people came to Christ in Paul’s day, slaves did not all of a sudden become free; they were still slaves. Jews did not become Greeks; they were still Jews. Men did not become women, and women did not become men. Gender differences remained. However, through Christ all were made members of one Body, all became sons of God through faith in Jesus Christ, all became partakers of one Spirit. What I want you to see in this verse, however, is that salvation doesn’t erase racial distinctions or obliterate cultural differences.

In the two passages from the book of Revelation (5:8-10 and 7:9-10), the same point can be made: Racial, cultural and national distinctions are not erased. You still have representation “from every tribe and language and people and nation.” Sadly, in my county, there are a lot of unkind and hateful things printed on the opinion page of one of the local newspapers about Mexican immigrants. Statements are made suggesting that most of them are illegal and that they “need to go back where they came from.” Well, I hate to break the news to those that feel that way, but there will be Mexicans in heaven! There will be people from every country and every ethnic group. And it seems we will still speak our native tongue. The point is, not everyone will look like you! Not everyone will look like me. God has ordained that there will be diversity in heaven. Yet, all are one in relation to God and to one another.

When liberal Protestants and Catholics talk about diversity, what they usually mean is acceptance of sin, especially homosexuality. But, we should not let the devil spoil another perfectly good word. Diversity, as God designs it, is good—it has nothing to do with accepting sin—and we should be open to the possibility of creating God-sanctioned diversity in our churches. But, remember, I’m not talking about assimilation—making everybody act White or Black or whatever. I’m talking about appreciating and celebrating our racial, cultural and ethnic differences, and giving people the freedom to be different, because this kind of diversity brings glory to God.

And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!” And the four living creatures said, “Amen!” and the elders fell down and worshiped (Revelation 5:13-14).