“Thank You, God, for ‘Pa Bill’”: Father’s Day 2008

Today was Father’s Day and, as this day comes to a close, I want to pay tribute to the man who was “father” to me: my great-grandfather, William Gray—or “Pa Bill”, as all of us grandchildren and great-grandchildren called him. Pa Bill was actually my maternal grandfather’s step-father; he had no children of his own. So, for all practical purposes, from the time he and “Grandma” agreed to take me in when I was two-months old, I was Pa Bill’s son.

I would have to write a book to fully describe Pa Bill’s significance in my life. Until the end of his life, Pa Bill was my greatest supporter, and was a true father to me. For one thing, Pa Bill was present and involved in my life. He attended every piano recital I performed in, every concert and every graduation (junior high, high school and college). He took me to Sunday School and church (and was in attendance, himself), and was present both when I joined the church and when I was baptized. Although terminally ill with cancer, Pa Bill was also there when I preached my first sermon. For every major event in my life, until he died, Pa Bill was there.

Pa Bill taught me so many things: how to ride a bike; how to use a hammer, saw, planer, level, sandpaper, wrench, screwdriver; how to paint, how to smooth cement, how to cut grass and shovel snow, how to start a car, how to check the oil and un-stick a carburetor—I could literally go on and on. Ironically, Pa Bill also helped me learn how to read. Ironically, I say, because he could barely read, himself.

Although Pa Bill held no position of significance in the eyes of the world, he meant a whole lot to me. He was God-fearing, law-abiding, hard-working, dependable and honest—a real man a boy like me could look up to.

Pa Bill died almost 19 years ago, but his influence lingers on in my life. I hope and pray I can have the same lasting influence for good in my sons’ lives that Pa Bill has had in mine.

I thank God for giving Pa Bill to me.

“The glory of children is their fathers” (Proverbs 17:6b).

“Proud” of my country?

This morning, in the Chicago Tribune, I read the following quote of Tennessee state GOP chair Robin Smith, about Michelle Obama (you may recall that Mrs. Obama stated, after one of her husband’s primary wins, that she felt “proud” of her country for the first time in her adult life):

“Her comments substantiated that Barack Obama and his wife don’t relate to the average American, who still flies the flag on the 4th of July, still gets chills when the Air Force planes fly over… It just feeds the narrative that they’re essentially out of touch with America.”

Personally, I found that comment insulting and condescending. Why? Because, I think I understand exactly what Mrs. Obama meant or felt when she made that oft-quoted comment. For one thing, Mrs. Obama and I share at least one thing in common: We are both Black. We have both experienced living as Black people in America. Am I, somehow, “out of touch with America” because I can relate to Mrs. Obama? I don’t think so. I am a native-born American. My family has been in this country at least 180 years (my best guess as to when my most recent African ancestor was brought to this country as a slave). My grandfather and my father-in-law were World War II veterans. One of my uncles served in the Peace Corps. This is my country and I don’t desire to live anywhere else. It is for these reasons—and because I understand where Mrs. Obama is coming from—that I seriously doubt Sen. and Mrs. Obama are out of touch with America.

On the contrary, I think Ms. Smith is out of touch with Black Americans.

You see, I grew up in an all-Black neighborhood (and it wasn’t a “ghetto”, by the way). I don’t recall many flags flying on the 4th of July, nor do I recall many (if any) Blacks relating to me how Air Force jets flying in formation overhead gave them chills. Does Ms. Smith think that Black people like those who lived in my old neighborhood were, somehow, un-American because they didn’t get goose bumps over the mere mention of the USA?

Do I love my country? Yes, I do. However, I also recognize that my country has been guilty of sponsoring or condoning or tolerating injustice towards people of African descent (and other ethnic groups, also) ever since we became a country. Further, I know that racism, racial discrimination and racial prejudice still exist in my country. Nevertheless, I do love my country. Why is it that some people equate love with lying? Can’t I tell the truth and still love? Does love for my country require that I not tell the truth about my country?

Do I think there has been no improvement in justice and race relations in our country over the past 232 years that we’ve been a nation? Of course not! There has been great improvement and advancement in race relations over the past 40 years. Racism is now illegal everywhere, and overt racial discrimination is rare. But, it would be less than honest for me not to admit that, in general, Black people are still not treated equally. Racism and racial and ethnic discrimination nowadays is, for the most part, covert and subtle, hard to detect and even harder to prove, but it still exists.

So, I think I understand why Mrs. Obama said she was proud of this country for the first time in her adult life. I certainly never thought I’d see the day when a Black man would become the presumptive nominee of a major political party. I think most Black people can understand and relate to Mrs. Obama.

Here’s the question, however: Can Ms. Smith (or anyone who shares her expressed view of the Obamas) relate to the average Black person?

Here’s another question: Why is it so important for the Obamas—or anyone else—to be proud of the United States?

I will gladly admit to anyone that I’m grateful for my country. I thank God for the United States. But, “proud” is not a word I would want to use. Why would I want to boast in the United States? What do we as a country have to proud about? We have much to be ashamed of, but why should we boast? If there’s anything good about our country (and, don’t misunderstand, there are many good things about this country), the credit belongs to God, and only to God. Therefore, we should not boast. Remember, “God resists the proud” (I know that truth applies to individuals, but does it not also apply to countries as well?).

I don’t believe that Mrs. Obama not being proud of her country before now is a problem. I think, perhaps, the problem is that those who were so offended by her comment are too proud.

Me and my big mouth

Below is the trailer about the upcoming Desiring God 2008 National Conference. However, the reason I’m posting this clip is because of what is said on here about the tongue. For someone like me, whose thoughts often leak out of my mouth, when they would have been better kept inside my head, this was a helpful and convicting reminder.



James 1:26; 3:1-12

26 If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless.

1 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. 2 For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. 3 If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. 4 Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. 5 So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things.

How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. 7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. 10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. 11 Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? 12 Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water.


HT: Abraham Piper

A better way of doing politics

With the possible exception of the war in Iraq, abortion and homosexual rights issues are foremost in the minds of many conservative Christians as we approach the November election. In general, Republicans claim to be against abortion and the expansion of homosexual rights to include marriage. In general, Democrats are in favor of abortion and homosexual rights, though it’s not clear how strongly they are in favor of homosexual marriage. It would seem, therefore, if we want to change the moral direction in which this country is headed, the Republican candidate, John McCain, would be the obvious choice of Bible-believing Christians.

Yet, how do we know that a Republican President would bring about the moral improvements we seek? Have the nearly eight years of Republican leadership under President Bush brought about the moral renewal we’ve sought? Did the twelve years of Presidents Reagan and G.H.W. Bush (1981-1993) change the moral direction of this country?

Wouldn’t it be so much better for Christians to pray, share our Christian witness, and engage in dialogue and charitable debate with our political opponents, trusting God to change their hearts and minds so that real and lasting change can come to this country? Is it wise for us to continue to use political force to make people do what they are unwilling to do? Grandma used to say, “A fool convinced against his will is of the same opinion still.” That’s true! Political force will not produce a change of heart. Honestly, what has all the Christian conservative political activism of the last 30 years (The “Moral Majority”, “Christian Coalition”, “Christian Right”, etc.) actually accomplished for this county? Has our political activism brought about spiritual revival?

So, again I ask, wouldn’t it be much better and more effective for Christians to do those things that, by God’s grace, will bring about heart change, rather than battle with our opponents in the political arena? Perhaps, the “Christian Right” has been going about this the wrong way. Here’s what the apostle Paul said:

For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds (2 Corinthians 10:3-4).

It seems to me that conservative Christians, over the last 30 years or so, have resorted, more often than not, to fighting the moral battles in this country “according to the flesh”. Maybe that’s why we’re getting nowhere. This country continues on a moral decline. What we need to realize is we’re fighting a spiritual battle. Our enemies are not the Democrats (or Republicans), liberals, homosexuals or “abortionists”. “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12). Why demonize those who are pro-abortion or pro-homosexuality? Scripture states that “the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers” (2 Corinthians 4:4), therefore, shouting at those with whom we disagree won’t change their minds one iota.

Not only that, but while we attack abortion and homosexuality, we conservative Christians here in the United States tend to ignore evils such as the insidious racism in this country (a lot of which, lately, has been directed at Sen. Obama, in my opinion), the irrational xenophobia directed at illegal immigrants, the inadequate funding of the public schools in some of our poorest communities, and the war we’ve waged against the country of Iraq, even though they didn’t have “weapons of mass destruction” after all (someone, somewhere, lied). Some of us have even participated or rejoiced in these evils. Our hypocrisy does not go unnoticed by the world. We can’t continue to act as if abortion or homosexuality are the only—or most important—issues in this country.

I think there is a much better, more Christian, way of doing politics:

“And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will” (2 Timothy 2:24-26).

“You Must Be Born Again”

This is a video clip of the late Dorothy Love Coates (1928-2002) and her group, The Gospel Harmonettes, singing Coates’ “You Must Be Born Again”. The sound is poor, so I’ve included the words below. Follow along as you listen:

Long ago I didn’t know nothing about Jesus and His love.
I had heard about it, but I had never felt it,
This manna that comes from above.
When this life of sin I could no longer stand,
I asked my mother how could I get to know the Man.
She said, “You must be—don’t you see—you’ve got to be born again.”

You must have that fire and Holy Ghost,
That burning thing that keeps the prayer wheel turning.
That kind of religion you cannot conceal,
That makes you move, makes you shout,
Makes you cry when it’s real.
Keep your hands right in the winding chain
Until your soul’s been anchored in my Jesus’ name.
You’re filled within, free from sin [now]
That you’ve been born again.

One day the fire from heaven on me reigned;
I didn't see nobody, but I felt the change.
Deep down in my soul, I felt a sweet relief;
I had to run, I had to tell it…[?] can’t hold my peace;
I've been washed in the blood of Jesus,
I'll praise His holy name.
Since that day I was converted
I’ll never feel the same,
My life’s been changed, I can't explain,
That you must be born again.(Words and Music by Dorothy Love Coates)

Understand, this is an experience song. Although Coates was writing about a biblical truth, she wasn’t being biblically and theologically precise in her language. Like many old gospel songs and spirituals, “You Must Be Born Again” expresses how the composer felt. Listening to the words, I believe I understand what she meant. Further, I believe I know how she felt.

Of course, you know this song is based on that passage out of the gospel of John, chapter 3:

1 Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” 3 Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
Here’s the important question: Have you been born again? Have you experienced what Dorothy Love Coates and the Gospel Harmonettes sung about so many decades ago? What was true for Nicodemus is true for you and me:

“You must be—don’t you see—you’ve got to be born again.”

An historic achievement

As everyone knows by now, Senator Barack Obama has become the presumptive Democrat nominee for President of the United States. It is, indeed, an achievement of historic proportions. Rather than give any more of my opinions (which are many) about the Presidential election thus far, I would like to call your attention to these postings by my brothers in Christ, Thabiti Anyabwile (here and here), Anthony Carter (here) and Lance Lewis (here). Please read, and consider carefully and objectively, what they’ve written.

And, while I’m at it, let me mention to those of you living in the Chicago area that you will be able to hear Thabiti Anyabwile and Anthony Carter in person later this month at New Life Fellowship Church’s Annual Bible Conference which will be held June 19-21. You can read more information here. There will be some excellent teaching going on…and it’s free! If you can make it, I encourage you to attend.

“Never too late to keep asking”

Sometimes, after praying about something for a long time, and seeing no evident change in the situation, one is tempted to give up. “What’s the use of praying? Nothing ever changes.” That’s why I found this post by John Piper at the Desiring God blog so encouraging. Perhaps you may find it encouraging, also.

“Victory through Defeat”

“The experiences of men who walked with God in olden times agree to teach that the Lord cannot fully bless a man until He has first conquered him. The degree of blessing enjoyed by any man will correspond exactly with the completeness of God’s victory over him.”

“Only the conquered can know true blessedness. This is sound philosophy, based upon life, and necessary by the constitution of things. We need not accept this truth blindly; the reasons are discoverable, among them being these: We are created beings, and as such are derived, not self-existent. Not to us has it been given to have life in ourselves. For life we are wholly and continually dependent upon God, the Source and Fountain of life. Only by full dependence upon Him are the hidden potentialities of our natures realized. Apart from this we are but half-men, malformed and unbeautiful members of a noble race once made to wear the image of its Creator.”

A.W. Tozer (1897-1963), from The Divine Conquest [now titled, God’s Pursuit of Man] chapter IV, “Victory through Defeat”, pp.53, 54 & 55.

Encouragement to pursue God

My reading has been severely curtailed since beginning a new job last summer. One thing I’m looking forward to, with the coming of Summer Break next month, is getting back on track with my reading. Right now, I’m still plugging away at Arnold Dallimore’s biography of George Whitefield. Generally, I read that when I go to the barbershop or when I’m waiting for my sons while they have their weekly piano lessons. I’m halfway through the second volume of the Whitefield biography, and hope to finish by August.

However, for the past couple of weeks, as I’ve had opportunity, I’ve also been reading Lyle Dorsett’s A Passion for God: The Spiritual Journey of A.W. Tozer. When I first heard that a new biography of A.W. Tozer was coming out, I knew I wanted to get it and read it. I’m almost finished with it. Dorsett’s biography of Tozer has sort of reawakened my interest in him. I’m reminded that, years before I ever read anything by John Piper or heard of The Banner of Truth Trust, my heart was captivated and stirred by the writings of Aiden Wilson Tozer (1897-1963), Christian and Missionary Alliance pastor, “twentieth century prophet” and evangelical “mystic”.

The writings of men like Tozer greatly influenced me when I first entered the ordained ministry. What captivated me most about Tozer the man was the apparent depth and intimacy of his relationship with God. Reading about Tozer these past couple of weeks, I am again struck by the depth and intensity of this man’s life of prayer and devotion. I think present-day evangelicals are far more enamored with anything that comes out of Willow Creek or Saddleback than they are the writings of A.W. Tozer—and that’s to our shame. I think Tozer knew something that we would do well to learn and grasp: the depth of our relationship with God and effectiveness for God is in direct proportion to the depth of our praying.

The Scriptures reveal a vital connection between the word of God, the Spirit of God and prayer:

“If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.”

“Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him. If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. Whoever does not love me does not keep my words. And the word that you hear is not mine but the Father’s who sent me.”

“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love” (John 14:15-17, 21, 23-24; 15:4-5, 7-10).

A.W. Tozer wasn’t perfect—far from it. One thing I appreciate about Dorsett’s biography is that he does show us some of the glaring faults in Tozer’s life, particularly in relation to his wife and children. I’m sure those imperfections will turn off some people, but they encourage me, because I know my own faults so well. Imperfect though he was, it seems apparent that A.W. Tozer knew what it meant to abide in Christ. And the fruitfulness of his life is proven by the fact that, 45 years after his death (he died on May 12, 1963), believers are still reading what he wrote and listening to recordings of his sermons, and drawing great spiritual benefit from it.

The life example of men like A.W. Tozer challenge me to “go deep” with God. Tozer’s writings challenge serious souls to seek after God. If you get the chance, read some of what Tozer wrote or listen to some of his sermons. I recommend these books as a good place to start: The Pursuit of God (1948), God’s Pursuit of Man (1950)—a sequel to The Pursuit of God (I still prefer the original title: The Divine Conquest), and The Knowledge of the Holy (1961).

Most of all, pray. If nothing else, reading about A.W. Tozer’s life reminds me that I don’t pray enough. I don’t get away from people, shut out the noise and distractions and simply pray often enough, as I ought. When it comes to prayer, I believe we need both quality and quantity. May the words of Jesus encourage us to aggressively and passionately pursue God:

“And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” (Luke 11:9-13).

Mother’s Day, Family and God’s Grace

It’s been a long time since I’ve written anything here. Frankly, I’ve been too busy. Things are starting to ease up a bit, so I hope to be writing more soon. For now, please allow me to ramble a bit.

The photo posted here was shot by my son this past Sunday—Mother’s Day. It’s a picture of my wife, Catherine, and myself.

“Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: ‘Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all’” (Proverbs 31:28-29).

I don’t mind telling you: I’m a blessed man. Everything I have, including my very life, was given to me. God has graciously given me a wonderful wife, and this summer, the Lord willing, Catherine and I will celebrate 18 years of marriage. God has also graciously blessed us with two boys for whose souls we pray every day. I can’t tell you how it does my soul good to see my oldest, who is 15, in his bedroom at night with his open Bible, with no prompting from me or his mother, reading the word of God. I’m a blessed man, indeed.

Now, don’t misunderstand me: I know I don’t deserve a thing from God—nothing, that is, but His just wrath and condemnation. My family is a testimony to God’s grace, not my goodness. Apart from Christ, I know I’m nothing but a hell-deserving sinner. That’s why, when I look about me and see the beautiful family that God has given, the house that he has given us for shelter, and recognize that our home is one in which the name of the Lord is spoken of with reverence and in which the glorious gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ is heard—my heart is filled with praise and thanksgiving, and my eyes overflow with tears of gratitude.

My life didn’t have to turn out this way; God has been good to me, and I thank Him.

When I’m tempted to pride (which is every day), it is the remembrance of my sins, and the awareness of my own wretchedness apart from Christ, that helps to keep me in my place. I’m an inherently flawed man who desperately needs Jesus.

And you need Him, too!

“Grace and truth came through Jesus Christ” (John 1:17). Apart from the grace of God, we’re doomed to eternal condemnation and misery. Do you realize that you need Jesus? Are you trusting and relying upon His blood and righteousness alone? In Christ, there is no condemnation, there is life abundant, and there is “grace upon grace” (John 1:16).