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Jerry Bridges is a very nice man. Soft spoken, eloquent, a listener. But you are not surprised, are you? It comes through every page of his writing. As you read through the interview you will see that his answers are frank and direct, and biblically based. He does not mince words but he is kind in his assessments and observations.
The interview will have to be in two parts. There is simply too much for me to type in this sitting. His answers in blue are almost word for word and my comments are in grey.
Interview with Mr. Jerry Bridges
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
How did you come up with the idea to write Respectable Sins?
My perception as I travel around is that I felt there was a lot of self-righteousness in the Christian community… a lot of focusing on the big sins but ignoring the subtle sins. I, myself, identified and looked at my own life, finding the same to be true. The big-name people in the Christian community concentrated on the big sins.
How did you come up with the title?
In collaboration with my editor. The original title was The Acceptable Sins of the Saints. All publishers have a title committee and the committee felt the perception in the Christian community would be to identify the ‘saints’ as the Catholic saints, which as you know from Chapter 1, was far from my intention.
As you apply Scripture to a subtle sin, how do you begin to know when you have made progress or the power of the sin is lessened in your life?
Can you tell if you are making progress? Yes! But, progress is incremental. For instance, with physical growth, or taking a course in school, or in the area of sports. With a sport it is hard to see progress from one day to the next, almost impossible really, but over the course of time one should be able to see change. One day you wake up and say, ‘Yes, I have made progress with that.’
Mr. Bridges gave the example of his grandchildren who have marks on the wall denoting their height. Their growth is not observed daily but when they stand against the wall from year to year they have grown significantly.
He also used anger as an example. We might notice over a period of time that we’re not as angry. He warned that at first, it may seem as if the sin gets worse before it gets better. It is not that we are worse, only our perception of the sin is heightened and we feel worse.
Is it ever gone completely?
No. We never get to the place where we do not have that sin. Danger: if we check it off our list it will come back to bite you. This is guerrilla warfare. Just when you think you have the enemy subdued, he sneaks up on you and blindsides you. And God keeps raising the bar.
Mr. Bridges gave the personal example of working on sins of the tongue. At one point he was congratulating himself for not saying the derogatory remarks regarding a past associate. God convicted him of thinking the thoughts. He realized he needed to work on not only the words, but even the thoughts behind the words.
How in the world can we ever live with ourselves with all this sin in our hearts?
We all have been overwhelmed by our sin. Go back to the gospel…
Mr. Bridges spent a lot of time on this question. He understood perfectly what it is like to experience the feeling of burden or being overwhelmed with our sin - the getting worse before it gets better. I’ll pick up here on Monday.
Needless to say, we did not get through all my questions, but it was a blessed time and I enjoyed listening to his wisdom.
Friday, July 30, 2010
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Impatience, Irritability, and Anger
Respectable Sins has been a series of places where I’ve gotten stuck, worked through it or attempted to, moved on, only to get stuck again. I’m stuck in The Weeds of Anger chapter. Actually, this chapter is going to be a reference tool for me. Like chapter 4, it will be a place I bookmark and return to read and re-read over and again.
I like knowing about anger. Born from experience and necessity, putting God’s Word to the test regarding anger has been almost a quest in my life. Chapter 16 has provided me additional insights for my arsenal against anger. Here’s what I came away with:
- Anger is never static: there is either an upward spiral or a downward one.
- The downward spiral of anger is resentment, bitterness, hostility, grudges, and strife.
- The upward spiral of dealing with anger is a firm belief in the sovereignty of God, growing in love, and learning to forgive.
- A sure road to bitterness is filing wrongs away in our minds and a sure test of a grudge is when the wrong filed away in my mind develops into a plan of revenge.
- A good test for true forgiveness is a restored relationship.
Discussion for Chapters 14, 15 & 16:
1. Here’s what I am most grateful for: in the Discussion Guide there is a special Bonus Study section titled, Battling Anger’s Noxious Weeds. It is one of four bonus studies in the Guide, two involving anger and two involving jealousy. That comforts me. Someone else believes anger is a powerful subject.
We will start our homework with Battling Anger’s Noxious Weeds:
Long-term unresolved anger creates many noxious weeds that poison lives. Return to Chapter 16 and write the definition of each of the terms below. Using the following verses as a springboard, ask God to reveal any area in which He sees a weed growing in your life.
Resentment:
1 Corinthians 13: 5
2 Timothy 2: 22–24
Bitterness:
Romans 3: 12–14
James 3: 14
Holding a grudge:
Romans 12: 18-21
James 5: 9
Strife:
Proverbs 30: 33
Romans 1: 29
1 Timothy 6: 3-4
2. We don’t want to leave out Chapter 14. Go back and write out the definitions for:
Impatience:
Irritability:
How do you tend to express each?
3. Situations do not cause us to be impatient and others do not cause us to become angry. Your thoughts and your solutions?
For August 5:
Read Chapters 17 & 19.
May I just say here that we are finally to the chapter that in the beginning of this study I knew was just for me: Judgmentalism. I don’t know whether to laugh or cry. Cry, because I wonder how much more plowing up my heart can stand. The plowing has definitely brought many things hidden back to my memory and to the forefront of my thinking. But, I am encouraged by the fact that my husband, who used to be a farmer, tells me that there are two kinds of plowing: plowing to prepare to plant a new crop and plowing to get rid of the weeds. I’m not sure which one God is doing with me, but I’m confident that He will do no more plowing than what is needed. And laugh, because how wrong could I be about myself – to think I’d sail through the previous chapters before getting the one I knew was for me. Sail through the chapters until I arrived at the one on judging! Who am I kidding? Only me, myself and I.
I like knowing about anger. Born from experience and necessity, putting God’s Word to the test regarding anger has been almost a quest in my life. Chapter 16 has provided me additional insights for my arsenal against anger. Here’s what I came away with:
- Anger is never static: there is either an upward spiral or a downward one.
- The downward spiral of anger is resentment, bitterness, hostility, grudges, and strife.
- The upward spiral of dealing with anger is a firm belief in the sovereignty of God, growing in love, and learning to forgive.
- A sure road to bitterness is filing wrongs away in our minds and a sure test of a grudge is when the wrong filed away in my mind develops into a plan of revenge.
- A good test for true forgiveness is a restored relationship.
Discussion for Chapters 14, 15 & 16:
1. Here’s what I am most grateful for: in the Discussion Guide there is a special Bonus Study section titled, Battling Anger’s Noxious Weeds. It is one of four bonus studies in the Guide, two involving anger and two involving jealousy. That comforts me. Someone else believes anger is a powerful subject.
We will start our homework with Battling Anger’s Noxious Weeds:
Long-term unresolved anger creates many noxious weeds that poison lives. Return to Chapter 16 and write the definition of each of the terms below. Using the following verses as a springboard, ask God to reveal any area in which He sees a weed growing in your life.
Resentment:
1 Corinthians 13: 5
2 Timothy 2: 22–24
Bitterness:
Romans 3: 12–14
James 3: 14
Holding a grudge:
Romans 12: 18-21
James 5: 9
Strife:
Proverbs 30: 33
Romans 1: 29
1 Timothy 6: 3-4
2. We don’t want to leave out Chapter 14. Go back and write out the definitions for:
Impatience:
Irritability:
How do you tend to express each?
3. Situations do not cause us to be impatient and others do not cause us to become angry. Your thoughts and your solutions?
For August 5:
Read Chapters 17 & 19.
May I just say here that we are finally to the chapter that in the beginning of this study I knew was just for me: Judgmentalism. I don’t know whether to laugh or cry. Cry, because I wonder how much more plowing up my heart can stand. The plowing has definitely brought many things hidden back to my memory and to the forefront of my thinking. But, I am encouraged by the fact that my husband, who used to be a farmer, tells me that there are two kinds of plowing: plowing to prepare to plant a new crop and plowing to get rid of the weeds. I’m not sure which one God is doing with me, but I’m confident that He will do no more plowing than what is needed. And laugh, because how wrong could I be about myself – to think I’d sail through the previous chapters before getting the one I knew was for me. Sail through the chapters until I arrived at the one on judging! Who am I kidding? Only me, myself and I.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Here are the Questions
Here are the questions I'll be asking Jerry Bridges this morning at 11:00. Any spare prayers would be appreciated. I'll post his answers on Friday. I'm looking forward to this gift to speak with him in person. Thank you all for your input through emails and comments.
How did you come up with the idea to write Respectable Sins?
How did you come up with the title?
As you apply Scripture to a subtle sin, how do you begin to know when the power of the sin is lessened in your life? Is it ever gone completely?
How in the world can we ever live with ourselves with all this sin in our hearts?
If we have very strong feelings about the political path our government is taking and if we feel that our country is going in a dangerous direction, how do we reconcile these feelings without being judgmental? I need more guidance as I try to apply Romans 14:4-5.
Does the pursuit for holiness become more intense and difficult the longer we are believers?
In your 55 years of ministry and in regard to ‘acceptable sins’, what observations do you have of our culture, of the Christian community, of the world?
How do you decide your next book?
What encouragement/wisdom could Mr. Bridges give young adults that he wished someone had told him.
When you write, do you follow a set pattern or a certain discipline?
What are you currently reading?
What are you currently writing?
How did you come up with the idea to write Respectable Sins?
How did you come up with the title?
As you apply Scripture to a subtle sin, how do you begin to know when the power of the sin is lessened in your life? Is it ever gone completely?
How in the world can we ever live with ourselves with all this sin in our hearts?
If we have very strong feelings about the political path our government is taking and if we feel that our country is going in a dangerous direction, how do we reconcile these feelings without being judgmental? I need more guidance as I try to apply Romans 14:4-5.
Does the pursuit for holiness become more intense and difficult the longer we are believers?
In your 55 years of ministry and in regard to ‘acceptable sins’, what observations do you have of our culture, of the Christian community, of the world?
How do you decide your next book?
What encouragement/wisdom could Mr. Bridges give young adults that he wished someone had told him.
When you write, do you follow a set pattern or a certain discipline?
What are you currently reading?
What are you currently writing?
Monday, July 26, 2010
Schedules and Details
Where are you guys? Is everyone bogged down in The Weeds of Anger chapter as I am? Oh, if only I had told God I would read this book instead of do this book!
Here's where we are: one very big interview with Jerry Bridges, two more face-face meetings, and three more book club meetings online. Hang in there with me!
ONE very big interview with Jerry Bridges this Wednesday. Up until Wednesday morning you still have time to send me your questions. The interview will post on Friday.
TWO face-to-face book club meetings: I will be at Starbucks on Governors Drive Friday, August 6, 11:00am and at Starbucks on 72 in Madison on Wednesday, August 11 @ 11:00am. Bring your book and come if you can to one or both!
THREE more book club meetings on line: Thursdays, July 29, August 5 and August 12.
We're almost there... keep on reading!
Here's where we are: one very big interview with Jerry Bridges, two more face-face meetings, and three more book club meetings online. Hang in there with me!
ONE very big interview with Jerry Bridges this Wednesday. Up until Wednesday morning you still have time to send me your questions. The interview will post on Friday.
TWO face-to-face book club meetings: I will be at Starbucks on Governors Drive Friday, August 6, 11:00am and at Starbucks on 72 in Madison on Wednesday, August 11 @ 11:00am. Bring your book and come if you can to one or both!
THREE more book club meetings on line: Thursdays, July 29, August 5 and August 12.
We're almost there... keep on reading!
Friday, July 23, 2010
You've Got the Mic!
I need to tell you a brief story. As I finished up the spring Crossings class, I began to pray about continuing the blog. After all, it was an experiment and primarily a vehicle for class members to download their lessons. One night, in the middle of the night (when God speaks to me most often), the idea of a Christian book club came to mind. I had contemplated starting one for several years. I began to put together a list of books for participants to vote upon, and voila!, the idea took root.
After the vote, when overwhelmingly you voted to read Respectable Sins, I had another of those middle of the night thoughts. I thought wouldn’t it be cool if we could actually speak to the author in person. I emailed Navigators Headquarters in Colorado, told them about the blog book club and asked if they might forward my email to Mr. Jerry Bridges or relay a message to him requesting a phone interview sometime during our summer read. I was flabbergasted when I got a reply just a few hours later. A very nice girl said she would relay my email and I would either hear back from her or directly from Mr. Bridges. The next day I got an email from Mr. Bridges giving me his home phone and a day to call to set up an interview!
I have been thrilled! What a confirmation to me to continue the blog and what a treat this will be for you! Mr. Bridges and I spoke briefly the end of June to compare schedules – me having Anna all week last week and he having seven grandchildren this week – setting our interview date for Wednesday, July 28.
Now… yikes! The interview is looming and I have not a clue what to ask him. I am desperate for your advice. What should I ask him? What are your questions for him? Book bloggers, you’ve got the blog mic, so take it way and tell me what you want to know. I need to email him a partial list of questions this weekend, so comment please!
Isn’t this ridiculous – God answers my prayer, grants an interview and I’m totally tongue-tied!
After the vote, when overwhelmingly you voted to read Respectable Sins, I had another of those middle of the night thoughts. I thought wouldn’t it be cool if we could actually speak to the author in person. I emailed Navigators Headquarters in Colorado, told them about the blog book club and asked if they might forward my email to Mr. Jerry Bridges or relay a message to him requesting a phone interview sometime during our summer read. I was flabbergasted when I got a reply just a few hours later. A very nice girl said she would relay my email and I would either hear back from her or directly from Mr. Bridges. The next day I got an email from Mr. Bridges giving me his home phone and a day to call to set up an interview!
I have been thrilled! What a confirmation to me to continue the blog and what a treat this will be for you! Mr. Bridges and I spoke briefly the end of June to compare schedules – me having Anna all week last week and he having seven grandchildren this week – setting our interview date for Wednesday, July 28.
Now… yikes! The interview is looming and I have not a clue what to ask him. I am desperate for your advice. What should I ask him? What are your questions for him? Book bloggers, you’ve got the blog mic, so take it way and tell me what you want to know. I need to email him a partial list of questions this weekend, so comment please!
Isn’t this ridiculous – God answers my prayer, grants an interview and I’m totally tongue-tied!
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Pride and Selfishness and Tomorrow
Pride and Selfishness:
This week I’m going to mix things up a bit. I’ve listed seven discussion questions below in the Discussion segment. I’ve then followed the questions with some of my answers as commentary. Let my comments get you started, then please follow with yours. I’m waiting (trying not to be impatient or anxious) to hear what is in your heart regarding these two chapters. They were tough!
And tomorrow: Check the blog again tomorrow! I know some of you sign on only on Thursdays, but I have something important to tell you and ask you and it’s too long for today’s post.
Discussion for Chapters 11 & 12:
1. To what kind of people did Jesus tell the parable of the self-righteous Pharisee? Why is this significant to us? (See Luke 18: 9.)
2. What convicted you in Chapter Eleven on Pride?
3. What is the root of our selfishness? (See Genesis 3: 1-6; Jeremiah 17: 9; Hosea 6: 7 and Ephesians 2: 3.)
4. Your conversations can reveal clues regarding pride and selfishness. As you converse with others, do you truly listen and empathize, or do you tend to shift the conversation to your own stories and interests? Remind yourself of an example or two, followed by your thoughts on how God probably wanted you to behave.
5. What do your calendar and checkbook reveal about selfishness in your life?
6. The title of the book is: Respectable Sins: Confronting the Sins we Tolerate. I know you are confronting sins never thought of before. How are you dealing with them? What Scriptures and others measures are you taking to reduce their power?
7. Do you fully believe at the end of this study your heart will be more clean, more pure and closer to God?
My thoughts:
1. To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down upon everybody else... I’m quite sure this verse was never in the Bible before today. It is significant because it has pierced my heart and I know I’ve been quite confident of my own righteousness, rather than on my knees in gratitude for His righteousness given to me. Another sin to add to my list in the back of my book.
2. Two things. I was convicted of moral superiority in the political arena. It’s not a ‘sometimes’ sin; it’s an ‘everyday’ sin. Or should I say an every night sitting by the tv sin. What got me as the actual sin of it was what Mr. Bridges called a resultant spirit of contempt toward others. Secondly, I was so convicted of the pride of an independent spirit. I pride myself in being independent… doesn’t that just say it all! Am I going to have to change my entire personality? And an unteachable attitude stood out to me. I remember Beth Moore, in one of her studies or maybe on her blog, stating to teachers to watch out!... surely we are not the only voice we listen to!
3. Me, myself and I. I am pondering Jeremiah 17: 9 in three translations…
The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? NIV
The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is? NLT
The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? ESV
4. Guilty as charged. I am only answering this to myself.
5. My calendar reveals I am too busy; I always have some kind of project going; I spend much more time on God’s work than with God Himself; and I may say I like unfilled days, but too many blank days and I’m antsy.
My checkbook reveals I like to eat (gluttony has been on my list since the beginning). Every month there is a donation or two, but not enough in number and certainly not enough in amount to even wince over.
6. I thought I’d never get through the ‘Pride’ chapter. I was so burdened by my sin in every direction, in every area. One stormy afternoon I took my list and one-by-one went through each sin, naming it and confessing it to God. Then, I asked His forgiveness for each one (I John 1: 9). Then, I asked for a repentant heart and began to choose to repent, one-by-one. With some I’m just barely even recognizing them as sins, and some I’ve moved on to applying Scripture to them like ointment and bandage. This week I’m hoping to adopt Ezra’s attitude:
At the time of the sacrifice, I stood up from where I had sat in mourning with my clothes torn. I fell to my knees and lifted my hands to the LORD my God. I prayed,
“O my God, I am utterly ashamed; I blush to lift up my face to you. For our sins are piled higher than our heads, and our guilt has reached to the heavens. From the days of our ancestors until now, we have been steeped in sin. That is why we and our kings and our priests have been at the mercy of the pagan kings of the land. We have been killed, captured, robbed, and disgraced, just as we are today. Ezra 9: 5-7 NLT
7. I’m holding on to this promise in Philippians 1: 6 with everything I’ve got:
being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
For July 29:
Skip Chapter 13 – we’ll read it later.
Read Chapters 14, 15 & 16.
This week I’m going to mix things up a bit. I’ve listed seven discussion questions below in the Discussion segment. I’ve then followed the questions with some of my answers as commentary. Let my comments get you started, then please follow with yours. I’m waiting (trying not to be impatient or anxious) to hear what is in your heart regarding these two chapters. They were tough!
And tomorrow: Check the blog again tomorrow! I know some of you sign on only on Thursdays, but I have something important to tell you and ask you and it’s too long for today’s post.
Discussion for Chapters 11 & 12:
1. To what kind of people did Jesus tell the parable of the self-righteous Pharisee? Why is this significant to us? (See Luke 18: 9.)
2. What convicted you in Chapter Eleven on Pride?
3. What is the root of our selfishness? (See Genesis 3: 1-6; Jeremiah 17: 9; Hosea 6: 7 and Ephesians 2: 3.)
4. Your conversations can reveal clues regarding pride and selfishness. As you converse with others, do you truly listen and empathize, or do you tend to shift the conversation to your own stories and interests? Remind yourself of an example or two, followed by your thoughts on how God probably wanted you to behave.
5. What do your calendar and checkbook reveal about selfishness in your life?
6. The title of the book is: Respectable Sins: Confronting the Sins we Tolerate. I know you are confronting sins never thought of before. How are you dealing with them? What Scriptures and others measures are you taking to reduce their power?
7. Do you fully believe at the end of this study your heart will be more clean, more pure and closer to God?
My thoughts:
1. To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down upon everybody else... I’m quite sure this verse was never in the Bible before today. It is significant because it has pierced my heart and I know I’ve been quite confident of my own righteousness, rather than on my knees in gratitude for His righteousness given to me. Another sin to add to my list in the back of my book.
2. Two things. I was convicted of moral superiority in the political arena. It’s not a ‘sometimes’ sin; it’s an ‘everyday’ sin. Or should I say an every night sitting by the tv sin. What got me as the actual sin of it was what Mr. Bridges called a resultant spirit of contempt toward others. Secondly, I was so convicted of the pride of an independent spirit. I pride myself in being independent… doesn’t that just say it all! Am I going to have to change my entire personality? And an unteachable attitude stood out to me. I remember Beth Moore, in one of her studies or maybe on her blog, stating to teachers to watch out!... surely we are not the only voice we listen to!
3. Me, myself and I. I am pondering Jeremiah 17: 9 in three translations…
The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? NIV
The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is? NLT
The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? ESV
4. Guilty as charged. I am only answering this to myself.
5. My calendar reveals I am too busy; I always have some kind of project going; I spend much more time on God’s work than with God Himself; and I may say I like unfilled days, but too many blank days and I’m antsy.
My checkbook reveals I like to eat (gluttony has been on my list since the beginning). Every month there is a donation or two, but not enough in number and certainly not enough in amount to even wince over.
6. I thought I’d never get through the ‘Pride’ chapter. I was so burdened by my sin in every direction, in every area. One stormy afternoon I took my list and one-by-one went through each sin, naming it and confessing it to God. Then, I asked His forgiveness for each one (I John 1: 9). Then, I asked for a repentant heart and began to choose to repent, one-by-one. With some I’m just barely even recognizing them as sins, and some I’ve moved on to applying Scripture to them like ointment and bandage. This week I’m hoping to adopt Ezra’s attitude:
At the time of the sacrifice, I stood up from where I had sat in mourning with my clothes torn. I fell to my knees and lifted my hands to the LORD my God. I prayed,
“O my God, I am utterly ashamed; I blush to lift up my face to you. For our sins are piled higher than our heads, and our guilt has reached to the heavens. From the days of our ancestors until now, we have been steeped in sin. That is why we and our kings and our priests have been at the mercy of the pagan kings of the land. We have been killed, captured, robbed, and disgraced, just as we are today. Ezra 9: 5-7 NLT
7. I’m holding on to this promise in Philippians 1: 6 with everything I’ve got:
being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
For July 29:
Skip Chapter 13 – we’ll read it later.
Read Chapters 14, 15 & 16.
Sunday, July 18, 2010
We Miss Her Already
What a fun week we had! We already miss Anna so much... waking up and going to feed Scout and Miles with Daddy Ben, listening to her non-stop chatter which sounds like 'Chinese', playing dress up, whispering secrets to her doggie, going to the kiddie carnival in Athens, playing in the puuuuuuhllll (pool), watching the trains at Southerland's, playing at Monte Sano with new friends... she is such a blessing to us! 
Friday, July 16, 2010
Don't Give Up!
Dear Readers -
Hang in there. Keep on reading. Stay honest and open with God. If you, like me, need a good long quiet time before tackling the next chapter, find a way to get it. Hide away with God and pray, ponder and read. I just discovered a brief window of time, maybe 30 minutes, and I'm signing off from emails, blogs and phone calls to enter that quiet sanctuary and rest in Him.
It has been a week. In between many fun-filled activities with our granddaughter, I've attended two funerals. Enough to hurt my heart so much that the last thing I wanted to do was hear more about my sins. Kristi, I'm right there with you, regarding every word of your assessment from the 'Pride' chapter. Mr. Bridges just happened to choose the exact subtitles that nailed me.
This has been a teary week, so I'm surely not looking forward to more tears while reading through the 'Selfishness' chapter. Thanks for the heads up.
But I remain committed. Do you? What would encourage you? I'll try my best to do it. You are my encouragement. And the fact that I know, that I know, that I know, that at the end of this is His favor and His Glory! Every repentant heart will produce fruit. None of our prayers or anguish over our sins will be wasted.
Sylvia, so good to see your name - bless you for playing catch up!
A summer storm is blowing through. What a good time to read, pray and ponder.
Hang in there. Keep on reading. Stay honest and open with God. If you, like me, need a good long quiet time before tackling the next chapter, find a way to get it. Hide away with God and pray, ponder and read. I just discovered a brief window of time, maybe 30 minutes, and I'm signing off from emails, blogs and phone calls to enter that quiet sanctuary and rest in Him.
It has been a week. In between many fun-filled activities with our granddaughter, I've attended two funerals. Enough to hurt my heart so much that the last thing I wanted to do was hear more about my sins. Kristi, I'm right there with you, regarding every word of your assessment from the 'Pride' chapter. Mr. Bridges just happened to choose the exact subtitles that nailed me.
This has been a teary week, so I'm surely not looking forward to more tears while reading through the 'Selfishness' chapter. Thanks for the heads up.
But I remain committed. Do you? What would encourage you? I'll try my best to do it. You are my encouragement. And the fact that I know, that I know, that I know, that at the end of this is His favor and His Glory! Every repentant heart will produce fruit. None of our prayers or anguish over our sins will be wasted.
Sylvia, so good to see your name - bless you for playing catch up!
A summer storm is blowing through. What a good time to read, pray and ponder.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Anxiety, Frustration and Discontentment
Lord, I am willing to –
Receive what you give,
Lack what you withhold,
Relinquish what you take.
Respectable Sins, Chapter 9
I’ve added ‘discontentment’ to my ‘acceptable’ sins in the back of my book.
Before I address Chapter 9, first things first. Chapter 8…I knew anxiety was a sin. Yet I forget to take it one step deeper to the reason it is a sin… firstly because it is distrust of God, and secondly, because it is a lack of acceptance of God’s providence in my life. No matter where I am in my spiritual progress, it seems all my sinful roads lead to distrust. Basic deep-down true belief – to believe Him at His Word - what a gold mine this is to spiritual growth! I learned that belief trumps distrust a few years ago when taking Beth Moore’s Believing God. Do I really believe all things work together for my good? Do I really believe He has a future good plan for my life and for my husband’s life? Do I really believe I matter in the grand scheme of things? Do I really believe when I close my eyes in death I will open them to Christ? Do I really believe He loves my children more than I do? And the clincher… do I really believe He loves me and I am clothed with His righteousness? I say I do. But, if I really do believe, then my battles with worry and anxiety are lessened.
My battles with worry and anxiety have been lessened, but not so with discontentment. Hands down, the thing that got to me the most in these two chapters was this (page 73): We tolerate them (subtle sins) in our lives with hardly a second thought. That makes them more dangerous because, in addition to the basic sin itself, they can open the door for our hearts to greater sin. Discontentment, for example, can easily lead to resentment or bitterness toward God or other people.
Mr. Bridges went on to say that often, the discontented one (that would be me) deals with disappointments with an attitude of resignation – just giving up - which is secretly done grudgingly, leaving a heart full of smoldering deep resentment. Don’t you just love how he articulates a heart’s emotion! In a very short time, smoldering resentment can become a bitter root. I’ve found it to be true. Discontentment, left unchecked, does lead to resentment, and then to a disastrous bitter root. If you are a dreamer like me, then this may hit right between your eyes. I have had dreams and plans that I had to just give up and sometimes the surrender has left a void in my heart full of smoldering resentment. Several years ago I addressed the bitterness in my heart. It took a long time to pull out that root, so I am ever-vigilant regarding something that produces bitterness.
The Good News is that applied Scripture and an attitude of acceptance can turn a heart around – an attitude of stewardship was mentioned in the book. I like that. Just to be on the safe side, I still need a stash of good verses against discouragement… your suggestions?
In closing I want to sum up the prayers we are praying through this study. Here are mine:
- Every blog post God–guided
- Each one of us read the book all the way through
- Read prayerfully with our hearts wide open to God’s truth
- Actually do as God instructs
- Be ready to repent and prepared to change
- The blog would be interactive, encouraging and useful
- God would give us hearts that longs to be in intimate relationship with Him – and we would promptly confess our sins as His Spirit makes us aware
- Open our eyes to our individual ‘triggers’ that cause us to be blindsided by sin
Blessings to you, my precious blog friends!
Discussion for Chapters 8 & 9:
Your comments are the glue holding our blog book discussion together. Several people have commented to me how much the comments have meant to them! There are more people reading along than we know, so comment. You will be encouraged how it helps you solidify your thoughts.
Print out the Discussion segment and answer as you wish, but especially Questions 4 & 5.
1. How did Psalm 139: 16 help you this week?
2. In addition to the ones listed above, what prayers have you been praying through this study?
3. When our faith falters and out situations loom larger in our minds than God’s promises, how should we obey Jesus’ command in Matthew 6: 34 and find hope in Luke 12: 6? What insights does Mark 9: 23-24 offer?
4. Why is anxiety so common in our culture – in our daily activities, in advertising, in news reports? How does the Bible’s teaching about anxiety contradict what modern culture teaches about it?
5. Which other sins often crop up if we tolerate anxiety, frustration, and/or discontentment in our lives?
6. If you became frustrated or discontented, what steps did you take? Or, what steps should you have taken?
7. What other verses have been meaningful to you through these two chapters or through your personal “Preach the Gospel to Myself” project?
For July 22:
Read Chapters 11& 12.
While reading, think of this: Why does God hate sinful pride? How does it minimize His work in our lives?
From the Discussion Guide: “Let’s face our pride and selfishness, knowing that God will help us battle them and become more like Jesus.”
Receive what you give,
Lack what you withhold,
Relinquish what you take.
Respectable Sins, Chapter 9
I’ve added ‘discontentment’ to my ‘acceptable’ sins in the back of my book.
Before I address Chapter 9, first things first. Chapter 8…I knew anxiety was a sin. Yet I forget to take it one step deeper to the reason it is a sin… firstly because it is distrust of God, and secondly, because it is a lack of acceptance of God’s providence in my life. No matter where I am in my spiritual progress, it seems all my sinful roads lead to distrust. Basic deep-down true belief – to believe Him at His Word - what a gold mine this is to spiritual growth! I learned that belief trumps distrust a few years ago when taking Beth Moore’s Believing God. Do I really believe all things work together for my good? Do I really believe He has a future good plan for my life and for my husband’s life? Do I really believe I matter in the grand scheme of things? Do I really believe when I close my eyes in death I will open them to Christ? Do I really believe He loves my children more than I do? And the clincher… do I really believe He loves me and I am clothed with His righteousness? I say I do. But, if I really do believe, then my battles with worry and anxiety are lessened.
My battles with worry and anxiety have been lessened, but not so with discontentment. Hands down, the thing that got to me the most in these two chapters was this (page 73): We tolerate them (subtle sins) in our lives with hardly a second thought. That makes them more dangerous because, in addition to the basic sin itself, they can open the door for our hearts to greater sin. Discontentment, for example, can easily lead to resentment or bitterness toward God or other people.
Mr. Bridges went on to say that often, the discontented one (that would be me) deals with disappointments with an attitude of resignation – just giving up - which is secretly done grudgingly, leaving a heart full of smoldering deep resentment. Don’t you just love how he articulates a heart’s emotion! In a very short time, smoldering resentment can become a bitter root. I’ve found it to be true. Discontentment, left unchecked, does lead to resentment, and then to a disastrous bitter root. If you are a dreamer like me, then this may hit right between your eyes. I have had dreams and plans that I had to just give up and sometimes the surrender has left a void in my heart full of smoldering resentment. Several years ago I addressed the bitterness in my heart. It took a long time to pull out that root, so I am ever-vigilant regarding something that produces bitterness.
The Good News is that applied Scripture and an attitude of acceptance can turn a heart around – an attitude of stewardship was mentioned in the book. I like that. Just to be on the safe side, I still need a stash of good verses against discouragement… your suggestions?
In closing I want to sum up the prayers we are praying through this study. Here are mine:
- Every blog post God–guided
- Each one of us read the book all the way through
- Read prayerfully with our hearts wide open to God’s truth
- Actually do as God instructs
- Be ready to repent and prepared to change
- The blog would be interactive, encouraging and useful
- God would give us hearts that longs to be in intimate relationship with Him – and we would promptly confess our sins as His Spirit makes us aware
- Open our eyes to our individual ‘triggers’ that cause us to be blindsided by sin
Blessings to you, my precious blog friends!
Discussion for Chapters 8 & 9:
Your comments are the glue holding our blog book discussion together. Several people have commented to me how much the comments have meant to them! There are more people reading along than we know, so comment. You will be encouraged how it helps you solidify your thoughts.
Print out the Discussion segment and answer as you wish, but especially Questions 4 & 5.
1. How did Psalm 139: 16 help you this week?
2. In addition to the ones listed above, what prayers have you been praying through this study?
3. When our faith falters and out situations loom larger in our minds than God’s promises, how should we obey Jesus’ command in Matthew 6: 34 and find hope in Luke 12: 6? What insights does Mark 9: 23-24 offer?
4. Why is anxiety so common in our culture – in our daily activities, in advertising, in news reports? How does the Bible’s teaching about anxiety contradict what modern culture teaches about it?
5. Which other sins often crop up if we tolerate anxiety, frustration, and/or discontentment in our lives?
6. If you became frustrated or discontented, what steps did you take? Or, what steps should you have taken?
7. What other verses have been meaningful to you through these two chapters or through your personal “Preach the Gospel to Myself” project?
For July 22:
Read Chapters 11& 12.
While reading, think of this: Why does God hate sinful pride? How does it minimize His work in our lives?
From the Discussion Guide: “Let’s face our pride and selfishness, knowing that God will help us battle them and become more like Jesus.”
Monday, July 12, 2010
Meet Jerry Bridges
I thought you might enjoy this interview with Jerry Bridges for Sovereign Grace Ministries by CJ Mahaney in 2009.
Meet Jerry Bridges.
Jerry Bridges is 79 years old and has served faithfully on staff at The Navigators for over 50 years. And he continues to serve there within the Collegiate Mission where he is involved primarily in staff development, and speaks at various student events. Mr. Bridges also teaches on the gospel around the country.
Mr. Bridges is the author of numerous excellent cross-centered books like:
The Discipline of Grace
The Gospel for Real Life
The Pursuit of Holiness
Respectable Sins: Confronting the Sins We Tolerate
The Great Exchange: My Sin for His Righteousness
The Bookends of the Christian Life (March 2009)
But you probably know all this already.
So who is Jerry Bridges? What is he presently reading? How does he structure his devotional time? What is his favorite book on the gospel? Let’s find out.
Thanks for your time, Mr. Bridges! Please describe your morning devotions. What time do you wake up in the morning? How much time do you spend reading, meditating, praying, etc.? What are you presently reading?
On a normal day, I get up at 5:00 a.m.I spend from 5:30 – 7:00 a.m. reading and meditating on Scripture and spending time in prayer. I begin with what I have tried to teach others to do, which is to preach the Gospel to myself. My usual practice is to read through the Bible simply starting with Genesis and going through Revelation.
I am currently in the book of Numbers. For my prayer time, I start with thanksgiving and move to petition. I always start with the first petition of the Lord’s Prayer, “Hallowed be Thy name.” Over a six-day period (Monday-Saturday), I pray for the progress of the Gospel around the world. I pray for my family, my organization and their leaders, and my own personal growth. I have about eight ongoing special prayer requests for friends who have acute needs.
What book(s) are you currently reading in these three categories: (a) for your soul, (b) for pastoral ministry, or (c) for personal enjoyment?
(a) The Existence and Attributes of God by the Puritan, Stephen Charnock. I’m actually not reading the entire two-volume set but am focusing on two chapters, “The Holiness of God” and “The Goodness of God.”
(b) For my ministry (not pastoral but The Navigators) I have just finished reading Why We’re Not Emergent (By Two Guys Who Should Be) by Kevin DeYoung and Ted Kluck because I need to keep up with all the “bad stuff” that students are apt to read.
(c) For personal enjoyment, I have been reading John Calvin: A Heart for Devotion, Doctrine, and Doxology. I have to confess when I’m really mentally tired I read a murder mystery by Agatha Christie.
Apart from Scripture, what book do you most frequently re-read and why?
The Apostles’ Doctrine of the Atonement by George Smeaton because it is the best book on the Gospel that I have ever read.
When you finish a book, what system have you developed in order to remember and reference that book in the future?
I don’t have a very good system but I note page numbers on the inside cover of the book with the key thought I want to go back to.
If you could study under any theologian in church history (excluding those men in Scripture), who would it be and why?
John Calvin, hands down, because he not only was a brilliant theologian but had a heart of devotion for God.
What single piece of counsel (or constructive criticism) has most improved your preaching?
Years ago I took the Dale Carnegie public speaking course. In it I learned three things that I try to practice: 1) Know your subject thoroughly. 2) Be convinced your audience needs to hear your message. 3) Have a strong passion to deliver the message. Though these principles were applied in the context of secular speeches, I found them very helpful for my message preparation and delivery.
What books on preaching, or examples of it, have you found most influential in your own preaching?
Christ-Centered Preaching by Bryan Chapell, particularly chapters 10 and 11, and John Stott’s Between Two Worlds.
What single bit of counsel has made the most significant difference in your effective use of time?
Arrange your “do list” in order of priority and work progressively through, starting with number one. You can’t get them all done but this way you get the most important things done. I have modified this advice by realizing that the morning hours from breakfast to noon are my most effective, creative hours, and as much as possible I dedicate those hours to study, writing and message preparation.
What single bit of counsel has made the most significant difference in your leadership?
This question is not applicable to me since I have not been leading or managing anyone for about 15 years.
Where in ministry are you most regularly tempted to discouragement?
Too often, after preaching a message, I feel like I have not done a good job.
Do you exercise? If so, what do you do? If not, why not?
My main exercise is walking either outdoors or on the treadmill. I had a practice of minor weight lifting (no more than 25 lbs) but that practice got dropped in the busyness of life and I am trying to re-start it.
Currently, what sport do you like to play and/or watch?
I don’t play any sport at my age and seldom watch any on television. However, my main sport of interest is football and my favorite teams in order are: University of Oklahoma (I’m an alumnus), the Air Force Academy and the Denver Broncos.
What do you do for leisure?
Read something that is outside of my ministry. I like history, biographies and older (19th or early 20th century) novels.
If you were not in ministry, what occupational path would you have chosen?
Teaching.
Thank you, Mr. Bridges, for taking the time to answer my questions!
Meet Jerry Bridges.
Jerry Bridges is 79 years old and has served faithfully on staff at The Navigators for over 50 years. And he continues to serve there within the Collegiate Mission where he is involved primarily in staff development, and speaks at various student events. Mr. Bridges also teaches on the gospel around the country.
Mr. Bridges is the author of numerous excellent cross-centered books like:
The Discipline of Grace
The Gospel for Real Life
The Pursuit of Holiness
Respectable Sins: Confronting the Sins We Tolerate
The Great Exchange: My Sin for His Righteousness
The Bookends of the Christian Life (March 2009)
But you probably know all this already.
So who is Jerry Bridges? What is he presently reading? How does he structure his devotional time? What is his favorite book on the gospel? Let’s find out.
Thanks for your time, Mr. Bridges! Please describe your morning devotions. What time do you wake up in the morning? How much time do you spend reading, meditating, praying, etc.? What are you presently reading?
On a normal day, I get up at 5:00 a.m.I spend from 5:30 – 7:00 a.m. reading and meditating on Scripture and spending time in prayer. I begin with what I have tried to teach others to do, which is to preach the Gospel to myself. My usual practice is to read through the Bible simply starting with Genesis and going through Revelation.
I am currently in the book of Numbers. For my prayer time, I start with thanksgiving and move to petition. I always start with the first petition of the Lord’s Prayer, “Hallowed be Thy name.” Over a six-day period (Monday-Saturday), I pray for the progress of the Gospel around the world. I pray for my family, my organization and their leaders, and my own personal growth. I have about eight ongoing special prayer requests for friends who have acute needs.
What book(s) are you currently reading in these three categories: (a) for your soul, (b) for pastoral ministry, or (c) for personal enjoyment?
(a) The Existence and Attributes of God by the Puritan, Stephen Charnock. I’m actually not reading the entire two-volume set but am focusing on two chapters, “The Holiness of God” and “The Goodness of God.”
(b) For my ministry (not pastoral but The Navigators) I have just finished reading Why We’re Not Emergent (By Two Guys Who Should Be) by Kevin DeYoung and Ted Kluck because I need to keep up with all the “bad stuff” that students are apt to read.
(c) For personal enjoyment, I have been reading John Calvin: A Heart for Devotion, Doctrine, and Doxology. I have to confess when I’m really mentally tired I read a murder mystery by Agatha Christie.
Apart from Scripture, what book do you most frequently re-read and why?
The Apostles’ Doctrine of the Atonement by George Smeaton because it is the best book on the Gospel that I have ever read.
When you finish a book, what system have you developed in order to remember and reference that book in the future?
I don’t have a very good system but I note page numbers on the inside cover of the book with the key thought I want to go back to.
If you could study under any theologian in church history (excluding those men in Scripture), who would it be and why?
John Calvin, hands down, because he not only was a brilliant theologian but had a heart of devotion for God.
What single piece of counsel (or constructive criticism) has most improved your preaching?
Years ago I took the Dale Carnegie public speaking course. In it I learned three things that I try to practice: 1) Know your subject thoroughly. 2) Be convinced your audience needs to hear your message. 3) Have a strong passion to deliver the message. Though these principles were applied in the context of secular speeches, I found them very helpful for my message preparation and delivery.
What books on preaching, or examples of it, have you found most influential in your own preaching?
Christ-Centered Preaching by Bryan Chapell, particularly chapters 10 and 11, and John Stott’s Between Two Worlds.
What single bit of counsel has made the most significant difference in your effective use of time?
Arrange your “do list” in order of priority and work progressively through, starting with number one. You can’t get them all done but this way you get the most important things done. I have modified this advice by realizing that the morning hours from breakfast to noon are my most effective, creative hours, and as much as possible I dedicate those hours to study, writing and message preparation.
What single bit of counsel has made the most significant difference in your leadership?
This question is not applicable to me since I have not been leading or managing anyone for about 15 years.
Where in ministry are you most regularly tempted to discouragement?
Too often, after preaching a message, I feel like I have not done a good job.
Do you exercise? If so, what do you do? If not, why not?
My main exercise is walking either outdoors or on the treadmill. I had a practice of minor weight lifting (no more than 25 lbs) but that practice got dropped in the busyness of life and I am trying to re-start it.
Currently, what sport do you like to play and/or watch?
I don’t play any sport at my age and seldom watch any on television. However, my main sport of interest is football and my favorite teams in order are: University of Oklahoma (I’m an alumnus), the Air Force Academy and the Denver Broncos.
What do you do for leisure?
Read something that is outside of my ministry. I like history, biographies and older (19th or early 20th century) novels.
If you were not in ministry, what occupational path would you have chosen?
Teaching.
Thank you, Mr. Bridges, for taking the time to answer my questions!
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Book Club at Starbucks
It really does help to meet in person! There was so much to talk about, but our thoughts became focused as we all began to relate the impact Chapter 4 has had on our hearts. We are continuing to read and re-read Chapter 4. If we’ve been able to move past Chapter 4, we’re stuck again on Chapter 7. Regarding ungodliness, we get it! All of us thought of ungodliness as wickedness, and now see it as the root of our sin. Once we’ve understood the correct definitions of saint, gospel, ungodliness… some major restructuring has taken place in our minds. Our foundations are getting stronger. Thanks be to God through Mr. Bridges for having the foresight to give us foundational tools in Chapters 1 – 6 before delving into discussion of the expression of our sins. We agreed we need this book and we are grateful to be reading it together!
We talked about practical things to do to increase our thoughts of God during busy days. I think you will appreciate these three suggestions:
A classic read, Practicing the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence
God’s Minute, to receive daily devotions delivered to your inbox go to www.godsminute.com
And by using the Bible on cd and devotionals on cd we can make the time spent in our cars more effective for God.
Keep reading. Keep commenting. Do not get discouraged. Pray. Be as honest with God as you know how. We have one more month of reading and in one more month I'm counting on improvement. It has already begun in our hearts and soon will work its way to our attitudes and actions.
We’re going to do in-person Book Club again – I’ll let you know when and where!
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Ungodliness and Unthankfulness
For those of you, who only tune in on Thursdays for Book Club, please notice the video in the previous post inviting you to Starbucks this Friday for an hour book discussion in person! I need the encouragement to make it through some hard upcoming chapters and maybe you do too.
Meet me there – Friday, July 9, 11:15 am, Starbucks on Governors, Huntsville. Bring your book!
Now to this week…
For Paul, all of life is to be lived out in the presence of God with an eye to pleasing Him. Respectable Sins, Chapter 7
I never thought of ungodliness being the root cause of my sin. Like many of Mr. Bridges’ students, I always thought it was my pride. I have been surprised that the ‘pride’ chapter was not first in the book, and I’m glad it was not! I am appreciating the way Mr. Bridges is laying a strong foundation on the gospel before we delve into our sins. In reading his argument toward ungodliness as a root, along with the Romans passages, I am coming to accept and believe his reasoning. Ungodliness may be defined as living one’s everyday life with little or no thought of God, or of God’s will, or of God’s glory, or of one’s dependence on God. Well, that about covers it.
He poses the question, ‘just how ungodly am I?’ and he mentions the possibility that many of us who are believers might go for hours with no thought of God at all. Is that possible? I can unhappily and regretfully say, yes. I, all too well, remember days in my previous career when I would, at the end of the day, step into the elevator to go home and sickeningly realize that I had not one thought of God all day long. I hate to admit it. I hate even more that it was absolutely true. I distinctly remember full days without a thought of God much less a prayer. Anyone else?
It was because of those days that I realized a change was needed. It was because of so many of those days that I began what I now see to be my own version of a training program. So when Mr. Bridges brought up I Timothy 4: 7, ‘rather, train yourself to be godly’; I began to reflect back on what I did to undo such ungodly habits. I set my computer alarm to ring each hour for a brief prayer. I brought a Bible and Bible Promise book to work to keep in my desk. I printed Scripture and taped it over my side of my office doorway. It was visible only to me, and it reminded me to pray for each person walking through my office door… and the situation they brought with them. When things were really bad, I got under my desk and prayed on my knees. Please know my desk was fully enclosed on three sides, one of those huge wood monstrosities, and I was completely hidden under there. Several times I had a near panic attack when, while I was under my desk, someone would come in looking for me. Sometimes they would write a note and leave it on my desk, all the while I was under it. I just didn’t have the nerve to come out from under my desk and scare them half to death. You get the picture.
Lastly, I’ve been so convicted that my thankfulness to God is ‘routine and perfunctory’. I may feel deep gratitude, but I don’t express even a tenth of what I feel. I’m not coming close to giving a tithe of thankfulness. Most of all, I appreciate how Jerry Bridges brings us to the use of Scripture as our bandage over the cuts, scrapes and deeper wounds of ‘acceptable’ sins. As he suggests, I’ve added Ephesians 5: 20 and I Thessalonians 5: 18 to my index cards.
For those of you who are readers and also school-supply-lovers like me, this is our time of year! The stores are full of cool notebooks, pens, markers, sticky notes and helpful gadgets. I noticed yesterday at Staples that they have spiral-bound, multi-color index cards, a package of 2, for $5.99.
I love all of you!!!
Discussion for Chapters 7 and 10:
Keep your comments coming! We learn so much from each other and we need each other! Print and complete the Discussion section, then comment as you wish. Feel free to insert your own insights and personal lessons.
1. Read Romans 1: 18-32 and review the way Paul vividly describes the downward moral spiral of pagan humanity. What does verse 18 reveal about the sin of ungodliness? In verse 21, what does he emphasize regarding thankfulness, and what conclusions might we draw from this regarding our lives?
2. What does Paul’s summary prayer in Colossians 1: 9-10 reveal about our responsibility to God? About our ‘typical’ human-centered prayers for ourselves, friends and family members?
3. I’ve discussed a few things I did in my own ‘training program’. What have you done? What further practical things can we do each day to ‘train’ ourselves for godliness so we please and glorify God during even ordinary activities?
4. If God stood before you right now and told you to do everything to His glory, what changes would you immediately make in order to make Him the center focal point of your life?
5. Keep your own personal list of acceptable sins current.
6. Have you been ‘preaching the gospel’ to yourself? Please share your ‘system’ and some of the verses you are praying.
For July 15:
Read Chapters 8 & 9. As you read, have alongside Psalm 139: 16.
It is time for us to begin to think about “triggers” - circumstances and situations that initialize our ‘acceptable’ sins. Jerry Bridges mentioned “triggers” in Chapter 5 and has alluded to them several times since. What types of circumstances tempt you to become anxious, frustrated or discontented?
Meet me there – Friday, July 9, 11:15 am, Starbucks on Governors, Huntsville. Bring your book!
Now to this week…
For Paul, all of life is to be lived out in the presence of God with an eye to pleasing Him. Respectable Sins, Chapter 7
I never thought of ungodliness being the root cause of my sin. Like many of Mr. Bridges’ students, I always thought it was my pride. I have been surprised that the ‘pride’ chapter was not first in the book, and I’m glad it was not! I am appreciating the way Mr. Bridges is laying a strong foundation on the gospel before we delve into our sins. In reading his argument toward ungodliness as a root, along with the Romans passages, I am coming to accept and believe his reasoning. Ungodliness may be defined as living one’s everyday life with little or no thought of God, or of God’s will, or of God’s glory, or of one’s dependence on God. Well, that about covers it.
He poses the question, ‘just how ungodly am I?’ and he mentions the possibility that many of us who are believers might go for hours with no thought of God at all. Is that possible? I can unhappily and regretfully say, yes. I, all too well, remember days in my previous career when I would, at the end of the day, step into the elevator to go home and sickeningly realize that I had not one thought of God all day long. I hate to admit it. I hate even more that it was absolutely true. I distinctly remember full days without a thought of God much less a prayer. Anyone else?
It was because of those days that I realized a change was needed. It was because of so many of those days that I began what I now see to be my own version of a training program. So when Mr. Bridges brought up I Timothy 4: 7, ‘rather, train yourself to be godly’; I began to reflect back on what I did to undo such ungodly habits. I set my computer alarm to ring each hour for a brief prayer. I brought a Bible and Bible Promise book to work to keep in my desk. I printed Scripture and taped it over my side of my office doorway. It was visible only to me, and it reminded me to pray for each person walking through my office door… and the situation they brought with them. When things were really bad, I got under my desk and prayed on my knees. Please know my desk was fully enclosed on three sides, one of those huge wood monstrosities, and I was completely hidden under there. Several times I had a near panic attack when, while I was under my desk, someone would come in looking for me. Sometimes they would write a note and leave it on my desk, all the while I was under it. I just didn’t have the nerve to come out from under my desk and scare them half to death. You get the picture.
Lastly, I’ve been so convicted that my thankfulness to God is ‘routine and perfunctory’. I may feel deep gratitude, but I don’t express even a tenth of what I feel. I’m not coming close to giving a tithe of thankfulness. Most of all, I appreciate how Jerry Bridges brings us to the use of Scripture as our bandage over the cuts, scrapes and deeper wounds of ‘acceptable’ sins. As he suggests, I’ve added Ephesians 5: 20 and I Thessalonians 5: 18 to my index cards.
For those of you who are readers and also school-supply-lovers like me, this is our time of year! The stores are full of cool notebooks, pens, markers, sticky notes and helpful gadgets. I noticed yesterday at Staples that they have spiral-bound, multi-color index cards, a package of 2, for $5.99.
I love all of you!!!
Discussion for Chapters 7 and 10:
Keep your comments coming! We learn so much from each other and we need each other! Print and complete the Discussion section, then comment as you wish. Feel free to insert your own insights and personal lessons.
1. Read Romans 1: 18-32 and review the way Paul vividly describes the downward moral spiral of pagan humanity. What does verse 18 reveal about the sin of ungodliness? In verse 21, what does he emphasize regarding thankfulness, and what conclusions might we draw from this regarding our lives?
2. What does Paul’s summary prayer in Colossians 1: 9-10 reveal about our responsibility to God? About our ‘typical’ human-centered prayers for ourselves, friends and family members?
3. I’ve discussed a few things I did in my own ‘training program’. What have you done? What further practical things can we do each day to ‘train’ ourselves for godliness so we please and glorify God during even ordinary activities?
4. If God stood before you right now and told you to do everything to His glory, what changes would you immediately make in order to make Him the center focal point of your life?
5. Keep your own personal list of acceptable sins current.
6. Have you been ‘preaching the gospel’ to yourself? Please share your ‘system’ and some of the verses you are praying.
For July 15:
Read Chapters 8 & 9. As you read, have alongside Psalm 139: 16.
It is time for us to begin to think about “triggers” - circumstances and situations that initialize our ‘acceptable’ sins. Jerry Bridges mentioned “triggers” in Chapter 5 and has alluded to them several times since. What types of circumstances tempt you to become anxious, frustrated or discontented?
Monday, July 5, 2010
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Praise God! We're Free!
This year marks 234 years since our Founding Fathers gave us our National Birth Certificate. We continue to be the longest on-going Constitutional Republic in the history of the world. Blessings such as these are not by chance or accidental. They are blessings of God.
On July 2, 1776, Congress voted to approve a complete separation from Great Britain. Two days afterwards – July 4th – the early draft of the Declaration of Independence was signed, albeit by only two individuals at that time: John Hancock, President of Congress, and Charles Thompson, Secretary of Congress. Four days later, on July 8, members of Congress took that document and read it aloud from the steps of Independence Hall, proclaiming it to the city of Philadelphia, after which the Liberty Bell was rung. The inscription around the top of that bell, Leviticus 25:10, was most appropriate for the occasion: “Proclaim liberty throughout the land and to all the inhabitants thereof.”
David Barton for WallBuilders
On July 2, 1776, Congress voted to approve a complete separation from Great Britain. Two days afterwards – July 4th – the early draft of the Declaration of Independence was signed, albeit by only two individuals at that time: John Hancock, President of Congress, and Charles Thompson, Secretary of Congress. Four days later, on July 8, members of Congress took that document and read it aloud from the steps of Independence Hall, proclaiming it to the city of Philadelphia, after which the Liberty Bell was rung. The inscription around the top of that bell, Leviticus 25:10, was most appropriate for the occasion: “Proclaim liberty throughout the land and to all the inhabitants thereof.”
David Barton for WallBuilders
Thursday, July 1, 2010
The Remedy for Sin
The remedy for our sins, whether scandalous or acceptable,
is the gospel in its widest scope.
Respectable Sins, Chapter 4
I have to admit, I’m stuck on Chapter 4. I have been pondering two brand-new thoughts for days.
Firstly, pages 34 – 36 (hardback copy) are almost totally yellow with highlights. What has me on my knees is the second use of the gospel: that not only does the gospel prepare me to face my sins, it frees me up to do so. When I know that my sin is forgiven, I can better look at what is awful. I can better face it and knowing it is forgiven, I’m more willing to address it – instead of hiding it from myself. I am comforted. Never before have I seen this wonderful work of forgiveness! Jerry Bridges is right… the gospel energizes me to deal with it!
Secondly, have any of you ever preached the gospel to yourselves? I love that!
If I ever have, it has been in my car driving to BSF or in preparation for a lecture - never to preach it to myself as the recipient of the grace and forgiveness the gospel holds. What a marvelous door the gospel has just opened for me – to know the gospel well enough to preach it to myself, and apply Scripture to the preaching of it, as well as to the assurances the gospel brings. One of the things I’m going to do in my quiet time this week is come up with my own set of Scriptures for a private gospel preaching to Suzanne. If anyone decides to do the same, will you share some of your Scripture choices with me?
Fast-forward to Chapter 6. Not that Chapter 5 isn’t packed full, it is. But, my brain is in over-drive. Mr. Bridges suggests we digest Chapter 6 before moving on and I’ve got some re-reading to do.
Discussion:
Answer each question and choose any or all to comment on the blog.
1. I said I was stuck on Chapter 4. Where have you been stuck? Why?
2. The moment we receive salvation through Christ, what does God do for us regarding the guilt and reigning power of sin? (See Romans 6: 1-2 and Colossians 1: 13-14.)
3. What hinders us from recognizing our sin? (See Romans 6: 12.)
4. How does the truth that God has forgiven our sin free us to honestly and humbly face our sin?
5. Write out 1 John 1: 9 on an index card and memorize.
6. Keep working on your own personal list of ‘respectable’ sins. What sins, if any, did you add to your list from someone else’s list posted on the blog comments?
Prayer suggestion from the Discussion Guide:
Invite God to give you a heart that longs to be in intimate relationship with Him – and to promptly confess your sins as His Spirit makes you aware of them.
For July 8:
Read Chapters 7 and 10.
As you read think this through:Do you agree or disagree that ungodliness is “apt to be the root cause of our other sins” and that each of us is guilty of this sin?
Keep the comments coming! I know that I am learning from each of you and your thoughts and insights are sharpening mine!
is the gospel in its widest scope.
Respectable Sins, Chapter 4
I have to admit, I’m stuck on Chapter 4. I have been pondering two brand-new thoughts for days.
Firstly, pages 34 – 36 (hardback copy) are almost totally yellow with highlights. What has me on my knees is the second use of the gospel: that not only does the gospel prepare me to face my sins, it frees me up to do so. When I know that my sin is forgiven, I can better look at what is awful. I can better face it and knowing it is forgiven, I’m more willing to address it – instead of hiding it from myself. I am comforted. Never before have I seen this wonderful work of forgiveness! Jerry Bridges is right… the gospel energizes me to deal with it!
Secondly, have any of you ever preached the gospel to yourselves? I love that!
If I ever have, it has been in my car driving to BSF or in preparation for a lecture - never to preach it to myself as the recipient of the grace and forgiveness the gospel holds. What a marvelous door the gospel has just opened for me – to know the gospel well enough to preach it to myself, and apply Scripture to the preaching of it, as well as to the assurances the gospel brings. One of the things I’m going to do in my quiet time this week is come up with my own set of Scriptures for a private gospel preaching to Suzanne. If anyone decides to do the same, will you share some of your Scripture choices with me?
Fast-forward to Chapter 6. Not that Chapter 5 isn’t packed full, it is. But, my brain is in over-drive. Mr. Bridges suggests we digest Chapter 6 before moving on and I’ve got some re-reading to do.
Discussion:
Answer each question and choose any or all to comment on the blog.
1. I said I was stuck on Chapter 4. Where have you been stuck? Why?
2. The moment we receive salvation through Christ, what does God do for us regarding the guilt and reigning power of sin? (See Romans 6: 1-2 and Colossians 1: 13-14.)
3. What hinders us from recognizing our sin? (See Romans 6: 12.)
4. How does the truth that God has forgiven our sin free us to honestly and humbly face our sin?
5. Write out 1 John 1: 9 on an index card and memorize.
6. Keep working on your own personal list of ‘respectable’ sins. What sins, if any, did you add to your list from someone else’s list posted on the blog comments?
Prayer suggestion from the Discussion Guide:
Invite God to give you a heart that longs to be in intimate relationship with Him – and to promptly confess your sins as His Spirit makes you aware of them.
For July 8:
Read Chapters 7 and 10.
As you read think this through:Do you agree or disagree that ungodliness is “apt to be the root cause of our other sins” and that each of us is guilty of this sin?
Keep the comments coming! I know that I am learning from each of you and your thoughts and insights are sharpening mine!
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