Jesus Said Hard Things!

In our adult Bible class last Sunday morning the subject of part of our lesson was Christian Leadership specifically the marketing of the world verses Jesus' model seen the four gospels.
The Scripture we looked at was John chapter 6. After He fed the multitude and sent His men in a boat across the lake He walked on the water to them and they finished the journey to the other side of the lake.

The next day a lot of the people He had fed found Jesus and He confronted them in 6:26 telling them they hadn't followed Him in order to see more signs (vv. 2, 14, 30), but because He had fed them. In other words they were in it for the physical food they could get. Our Lord then tells them not to work for the food that perishes, but instead for the food which endures to eternal life (meaning Himself).

And Christ seems to have had enough of their attitudes concerning wanting more physical food and He decides to thin the herd a little, if you will, by saying some hard things. He told the crowd (called disciples vv. 50, 66) that He was the Bread of Life and all that, that metaphor entails (vv. 48-51). He makes it sound like He wants them to become cannibals (vv. 51-58).

Hard stuff, right? Of course He was using hyperbole to make His point concerning taking all of Him (trust, faith and all of that).

So the people realized that He was saying hard stuff and said to each other, "This is a difficult statement, who can listen to it?" And Jesus knowing all of this further pushed the issue telling them that He was telling the truth and that the physical profits nothing, but the spiritual is where true reality and life is (v. 63). Then He tells them that no one can come to Him as a true follower unless it is granted to that one by God the Father (v. 65), and the consequence to all of this is that many abandoned following Him (v. 66).

Then an astonishing thing happened, and this blows my mind (as we used to say in the 60s and early 70s). Jesus turns to the twelve (Peter, Andrew, James, John and the rest) and asks them, "You do not want to go away also, do you?" Incredible!
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So, let this be an example to those in our day who use the world's marketing and promotion methods in and around the local church. Their worldly strategies go counter to Jesus methods.

Jesus said hard stuff to people and He didn't back down. He wanted them to count the cost of following Him and He wasn't all that concerned with the "numbers" but was instead more concerned with the quality of His followers, "For this reason I have said to you, that no one can come to Me, unless it has been granted him from the Father" (v. 65).
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Here is a link to see some of the other hard sayings of Jesus and others in the Bible.
http://www.intergate.com/~subi/hard.htm

The Greatest Letter Ever Written

I am in the middle of preaching through Paul's Letter to the Romans. This task is one of the most daunting things I have ever done. As I am taking the congregation God has given me to shepherd through what is called by the pastors and Bible scholars I read, "The Greatest Letter Ever Written," my head has been spinning as I try to communicate the deep truths that God had Paul pen under His inspiration.

In the past ten years I have preached verse-by-verse through the gospel of Mark, The Letter to the Hebrews, the life of Abraham from Genesis, and other Old Testament and New Testament books and passages, but Romans seems to be in a class of its own.

Don't get me wrong, I believe that every word in the Bible, Genesis through Revelation, is the very word of God without error in the original manuscripts. Period. Paul's Letter to the Romans is included. But Romans, with its tremendous truths of: depravity, justification by faith, sanctification, glorification, predestination, election, Israel, love and grace is truly special.
The last few weeks in chapter 7 my head seemed to be spinning as I studied Paul's writing concerning the two natures conflict within him. And chapter 8 is even more daunting. It might be the highlight of the letter, but as I talked to a colleague of mine today he told me to "wait 'till chapter 9 and my mind will be spinning again."

So, going verse-by-verse through Paul's Letter to the Romans is a sobering, scary yet exciting exercise. Pray for me as I continue studying and communicating God's great truth.

Music To The Glory of God

I love playing the mandolin. My new Weber F Gallatin is opening up and sounding better-and-better all the time. Someday it will be a great instrument for one of my grandchildren or someone else who wants to play music to the glory of God.

The last couple months I have learned an old fiddle tune titled Cluck Old Hen, and Sunday afternoon the band I play with is providing the music at our towns 100th Birthday Party.

We had a Christian contemporary music duo in church two Sunday's ago. They call themselves Temple Veil. They did a fantastic arrangement of the hymn Jesus Paid It All which I am trying to learn on the acoustic guitar. Theirs is a masterful arrangement where that old classic hymn is brought to life with contemporary instruments. It is really good.

If you play music and you are a believer in Christ, keep playing. Practice. Don't stop. Pick up your instrument(s) everyday. Make playing them part of your lifestyle. If you are a beginner don't give up. Playing music (at first anyway) is very hard, but don't give up. Keep at it. If you are talented enough to write some songs do that to God's glory. Your songs can even be instrumentals.

Martin Luther, one of my spiritual hero's said, "Next to the Word of God, the noble art of music is the greatest treasure in the world." The only thing that I would ad to that is family and friends (which are tremendous gifts from God as well). But, just imagine the word without music. Now, I can think of a couple genres of music that the world would probably be better off without, but most musical genres at least have some positives qualities.

Luther also said, "Next to theology I give to music the highest place and honor. And we see how David and all the saints have wrought their godly thoughts into verse, rhyme, and song." Music played to the glory of God is a glorious thing. The German reformer thought so highly of music that he said, "The devil does not stay where music is." Now I am sure that he was talking about the hymns and Christian music of his day and his culture. Songs with biblical lyrics, even today, surely would run the devil off the same way that a quoted Bible verse does the same ( Matthew 4:11).

So play, write, sing, and listen to music that is beautiful and magnifies the Lord. I confess I listen to secular music (oldies, classical, old country, bluegrass, music from the 30s, 40s, and early 50s) and yes I switch it off when the lyrics are immoral or are not God honoring. But I'm always drawn back to songs and music that are God-centered and Christ-honoring.

(photo is of Martin Luther playing music in his home with family and friends.)

Christian Biographies

When is the last time you read a "good" Christian biography? I unabashedly love to read Christian biography. Today I finished a book by Pastor John Piper titled, The Roots of Endurance, which he wrote about John Newton, Charles Simeon, and William Wilberforce.

Piper chose these men from Church History to illustrate endurance in the Christian life to his readers. We know the name John Newton because of his hymn, Amazing Grace, and we know William Wilberforce from English history because through his work as a politician he worked to outlaw the slave trade and slavery in the United Kingdom in the early 19th Century. Newton was a slave-trader until the Lord intervened in his life saving him and calling him as a long-time pastor in Olney, England. Wilberforce endured years of ridicule and harassment as he fought to undo the hideous slave trade of his country.

I didn't know anything about Charles Simeon when I started the book (in fact I hadn't even heard of his name). Charles Simeon was the longtime pastor of Trinity Church in Cambridge, England for forty-nine years. Wow, forty-nine years as a pastor ministering to one local church. That to me, is staggering to think about and process. I've been here at First Baptist Church in Boulder, Montana for ten years (nearly one-sixth of my life). As I read about Simeon I thought about one shy of fifty years at one church. That would be forty more years here in Boulder. Again, it is staggering for me to think about.

And the forty-nine years is only a part of his endurance at Trinity Church. For the first twelve years after the bishop placed him there the congregation (pew-renters, that's what congregations did back then) paid their rent, but didn't attend church because they didn't agree with Simeon being installed as their pastor. So Simeon had to sit up chairs around the outside of the room and down the aisles so those who wanted to attend could. Again, as a pastor, that is hard for me to process, and even harder for me to comprehend, that Simeon endured it for twelve years. Piper writes that Simeon asked for a double blessing for those who did attend to make up for the one's that didn't. Also an amazing attitude from the long-time pastor.

Through the lives of these three men I've read about these past few weeks I have asked the Lord to grow in me that kind of joy and endurance. The people who are First Baptist Church Boulder have been extremely good to my wife and I. They have. I praise the Lord for them. But the pastorate is tough for a variety of reasons (just ask any honest pastor). And because of that, years and years of endurance in the pastorate of a local church is often times rare today.

So listen, back to my question about the last time you've read a "good" Christian biography. I encourage you to find one and start it today. If you are like me you will discover many examples of how to live the Christin life from these Church History saints, for the glory to God.

(Image: Charles Simeon)

Weber Mandolins

Recently I purchased a new mandolin. It is a Weber mandolin model Gallatin F-style. It's a gorgeous instrument. I really enjoy playing it and use it to praise the Lord each week.

The Weber string instrument factory is located in Logan, Montana and my oldest daughter and I had the opprotunity to tour it two weeks ago. It was fascinating! Bruce Weber the founder and owner personally gave us the tour. We found out that Bruce is a nice gracious Christian man.

It was interesting to learn that Weber is the largest maker of mandolins in the United States. We also learned that Weber instruments are shipped all over the world. You can view the pictures of our tour on my facebook page. You can see the Weber mandolin website at http://www.soundtoearth.com/ and they are on facebook as well.

During the tour Bruce Weber showed us his company logo which is the Jesus fish intertwined with a heart (Jesus in your heart). What a fantastic idea. What a great witnessing tool for Christians who play Weber mandolins.

Your Pastor Has Style!

The first week of February my wife and I were blessed to be able to attend Moody Bible Institute’s (MBI) Founder’s Week Bible Conference in Chicago for the seventh time. Attending that conference always gives us a good spiritual shot-in-the-arm as we return to the work God has called us to.

Each time we plan to attend, I ask God to show me what He wants me to learn. This year I was surprised to have Him teach me that, ”I Have Style.” Stay with me now as you read on.

As I watched and listened to some incredible preachers such as James MacDonald, Erwin Lutzer, Chip Ingram, Haddon Robinson, Josh Moody, James Ford, and Gary Chapman I realized that each of these men have their own preaching style. Maybe you have read some of their books or heard them on Christian radio so you have a sense of what I mean. Over five days Karen and I heard twelve expository sermons preached by pastors and ministry leaders, again, each with their own style. We even watched a taped talk by Joni Earekson-Tada who couldn’t fly in to Chicago because of a snow storm.

Let me tell you what I learned from watching and listening to all of these biblical presentations. God uses all sorts of people with all sorts of styles.

James MacDonald was very dynamic and his sermons were highly interactive with the five-thousand numbered congregation. Josh Moody, who is from London, England read his manuscript as he preached in a very prim and proper English way and explained God’s word to us. James Ford is a black preacher from South Chicago, who, in being true to his culture, was very expressive as he brilliantly taught God’s word. Joni was as gracious as ever as she shared about her struggle with breast cancer last year as well as her ministry of Joni and Friends sending wheel-chairs around the word for the handicapped. Haddon Robinson, in his 80s, in his soft-spoken manner, masterfully told us the story of Hosea, and Chip Ingram’s sermon from Romans 12:1-8 was amazingly practical.

All this to say, again, God uses people with all sorts of personalities and speaking styles. You know what, after I attended MBI Founder’s Week 2011, I am much more comfortable with my own style as an expository preacher.

Christians, this is the reason I have written about this topic. If you are reading this, pray for your pastor and thank God that he exposits God’s word in his own style each Sunday and doesn’t try to be anyone else, because he has style too.

The Problem Is Me!

After preaching through the first two and one half chapters of Paul's Letter to the Romans I've made it to chapter 3:21-22. After preaching about God's condemnation of sin and the sinner for weeks now (1:18-2:20) I could sense God's people feeling overwhelmed by the seriousness of what He was communicating to us through the pen of the apostle Paul. And I'm sure that was His point. God's point is that He wants the readers of Romans to get the whole force of what He thinks of sin. He wants Paul's readers to understand that in themselves they are depraved sinners.

For an opening illustration Sunday I played the song The Problem sung by the Canadian Contemporary Christian band Downhere. Last week I ran across a quote by G.K. Chesterton who responded to a newspaper editorial which asked, "What's Wong With the World, " by saying, "I am." I don't know if that's where the band found the idea for the song, but they echo Chesterton. I will have a link at the end of the blog to a recording of the song. Here are the lyrics.

The Problem - Downhere

There's got to be some reason for all this misery
A secret evil corporation somewhere overseas
They're pulling strings, arranging things
It's a conspiracy

Or what about the ones who shape the course of history
What if we petitioned for one grand apology?
I'll write to my prime minister
You, write your president

Everybody's wondering how the world could get this way
If God is good, and how it could be filled with so much pain
It's not the age-old mystery we made it out to be
Yeah, there's a problem with the world
And the problem with the world is me

Some will say the devil and his legions
They put us in a headlock of submission
But they lost all power over me
A long, long time ago

And since I was a kid you know I've caused a lot of hurt
And no one ever taught me how to put myself first
It came so very naturally
But I'm not a prodigy

So I will look no further than a mirror
That's where the offender hides
So great is my need for a redeemer
That I cannot trust myself
No, I cannot trust my self
I dare not trust myself
So I trust in someone else

The sooner you can sing along
The sooner you can sing this song
The happier we'll be
The problem with the world is me

It's a very biblically insightful song that hits the nail on the head that Paul's letter was building to in his first section, that is, the depravity of mankind and its remedy. This coming Sunday (Lord willing) as our congregation celebrates communion together after studying Romans 3:21-25 we will be thinking and focusing upon the remedy for human depravity, which of course is Christ. Romans 3:22 says that the righteousness of God comes to all men and women through faith in Jesus Christ, but they must believe. Again, this is the verse to which Paul was building in this section. Mankind is sinfully depraved and the only remedy is Jesus Christ.

The Problem Downhere: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9iPHGyaWuE&feature=related

Still A Grandfather!!

I haven't written for a while because I didn't know how to respond to a heartbreaking event in the life of my family. Shortly after writing the blog titled "A Grandfather!" our daughter's unborn baby miscarried. I cannot express to you in words the pain and heartache in her face as she told us the news after the ultrasound at the hospital. I would have done anything at that moment to take the pain she was feeling upon myself. I really would have. My wife and I wept as we watched her and her husband walk to their vehicle arm-in-arm, shoulder-to-shoulder from the hospital. She and her husband are doing fine now, some weeks later.

So as I process all of this, I am as confident as ever that I will see my grandson or granddaughter in heaven. He or she will be mature. Even now he or she is mature, worshiping God and enjoying his or her eternal home. I believe that human life begins at conception and I also believe that babies and young children, even unborn babies, that die, in God's grace, go to heaven (see John MacArthur's book Safe In The Arms of God). I also think of the Scripture when King David's baby died. Talking about the child he said, "I will go to him, he will not come to me (2 Samuel 12:23).

So, I am still a grandfather and someday I will meet my grandson or granddaughter after I see my Savior. Can't wait!

A Grandfather !

A week ago tonight (Thanksgiving Eve) my wife and I received some of the best news parents can ever get. Our oldest daughter and her husband are going to have a baby in 2011. Can't believe it, but I'm a grandfather and my wife is a grandmother. I know the baby isn't even born yet, but if you believe as I do that life begins at conception, then the baby in my daughter's womb is alive. That's amazing to think about.

And that's exactly what the psalmist David wrote all those thousands of years ago,"For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother's womb." Inside my daughter--right now--my grandchild is being woven together by Almighty God (my daughter told me yesterday that at this stage in development the baby is the size of a green olive). David continues in verses 14-15, "I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; wonderful are Your works, and my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from You, when I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth."

Now I know it happens thousands, even maybe millions, of times everyday but I've got to tell you this is different. This is special. I've been remembering back to the middle and late 80s when our two daughters were born and when the feelings of inadequacy and pride all at the same time welled up inside of me. I know I walked out of the hospital both times with my chest protruding just a little. But what am I going to feel like when my grandchild is born? I don't think inadequacy will be in the mix. That's for the new Dad and Mom. Happiness and sheer delight, I think, will rule the day as I thank my God for His provision and His goodness and grace in their lives.

The very next verse in Psalm 139 says, "Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; and in Your book were all written. The days that were ordained for me, when as yet there was not one of them" (v. 16). Since last Wednesday evening I've been thinking, "Should I by him a Christmas present? Will she like to play the mandolin (she will if I have anything to say about it :). Will he be a Minnesota Twins fan? Will she like to go fishing with me? What nickname will fit him to a t? At what age will she bend the knee to God and receive Christ as Lord and Savior?

I have a picture hanging in my study of my daughter at the start of her wedding ceremony just before I gave her away to her husband. That day two years ago I was overwhelmed with thoughts concerning how it felt just like yesterday that she was cradled in my arms, even though twenty-three years had seemed to have gone by in a flash.

And what am I thinking today? Today I'm thinking, "My baby is going to have a baby?!!!"

Christmas Season Songs

Last Saturday evening I had the opportunity to spend two hours watching one of my "musical hero's" sing and play his greatest hits. I've been listening to Gordon Lightfoot for forty years. Over seventy years old now, his voice a slight bit slurred and also raspy from cigarettes (he admitted during the concert), he still put on an amazing show.

His was the first and only concert I remember attending where the sound was near perfect. We could hear every word, every instrument, and every key change. Sitting there I wondered how many times he's sang some of his hits in a concert setting and as we listened to The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald it seemed like Lightfoot had the three-thousand of us in the palm of his hand. Nobody moved. We were focused on him and his band on the stage.

But as I thought about it on the drive home, I thought how sad it was that the concert was mostly Godless. Yes, he asks the question in the Edmund Fitzgerald song, "Does anyone know where the love of God goes when the waves turn the minutes to hours," and it's a good question and is mainly, I think, what the biblical Book of Job is about. But if I remember correctly none of the other songs contained references to God.

And then I remembered something I thought about during last years Christmas Season while I was listening to Frank Sinatra sing a Christmas Carol. What came to mind last year was how empty the Christmas Carols sounded from Frank, Dean, and Bing, James Taylor, or George Strait. The same songs sung by Fernando Ortega, Michael W. Smith, Stephen Curtis Chapman, Chris Tomlin, and Casting Crowns sound different somehow and I think I know why. It's because of the joy of the Lord in those artist's lives. It's the reality of Christ in that individual's life.

Joy is one of the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22). Part of Psalm 16:11 says, "In Your [God's] presence is fullness of joy." Let Psalm 33:1-3 sink deeply into you being, "Sing for joy in the LORD , O you righteous ones; praise is becoming to the upright. Give thanks to the LORD with the lyre; sing praises to Him with a harp of ten strings. Sing to Him a new song; play skillfully with a shout of joy."

I believe that joy in the Lord is the difference. And when Christian artists sing Christmas Carols the reality of Christ, and the inward joy of knowing they are His, comes through in their voices.

You know what, I love and listen to all sorts of different music including all of the singers I've mentioned including Gordon Lightfoot. But this Christmas Season I'm going to purpose to sing and play all of the well-known Christmas songs with the joy of the Lord bubbling over in my life because I'm one of His. I'm going to listen to Christian radio and cd's hearing the joy of the Lord coming through loud and clear.

You too?

Dan

Election 2010

It's Election Day 2010 and for someone who watches the news everyday I have to say that I'm glad the political television ads will be missing from my favorite programs starting tomorrow. But I also thought about the 2012 election. It will probably start in earnest tomorrow. Hooray, right? Not! If you're like me I'm tired of the negativity and the backbiting and the partisanship? I'm thinking that if there is a truly honest politician out there (Democrat, Republican, Tea Party, whatever...) we should elect him president in 2012. I wonder if there is one???

If you have never watched the 1939 Jimmy Stewart classic Mr. Smith Goes to Washington it's way worth your time. Stewart plays a kind of a hick from Illinois who is chosen to fill a vacated Senate Seat who is supposed to tow the party line. But after he rubs his party's leadership the wrong way and won't go along with their underhanded dealings they try to paint him as dishonest and a troublemaker. I think it's ironic that after 70 years we see the same sort of things still going on in political circles today in 2010. (By the way Stewart's character wins in the end).

In stark contrast to the climate we see in our 2010 culture (especially in political circles) the Bible holds up integrity and honesty as virtues we are to go after, acquire, and then model for others as believers in Christ. After all, that's how our Lord lived. He's the benchmark.

Psalm 15 speaks eloquently to this subject. David wrote,"O LORD, who may abide in Your tent? Who may dwell on Your holy hill? He who walks with integrity, and works righteousness, and speaks truth in his heart. He does not slander with his tongue, nor does evil to his neighbor, nor takes up a reproach against his friend; in whose eyes a reprobate is despised, but who honors those who fear the LORD; he swears to his own hurt and does not change; he does not put out his money at interest, nor does he take a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things will never be shaken."

Oh that we'd have leaders like that in our country. We need some more Mr. Smiths in Washington. We need more Mrs. Smiths there as well. We need more people like Zacharias and Elizabeth the parents of John the Baptizer. They are described in Luke 1:6 as, "Both righteous in the sight of God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and requirements of the Lord."

So let's see who wins today, Zacharias and Elizabeth type politicians or those who are negative, backbiting and partisan. You decide.

A Daunting Task

I live in Montana surrounded by the Rocky Mountains. It's beautiful here. I grew up thirty miles from here and remember our Sunday afternoon drives as a family up in the mountains. Many, many times we'd take a picnic meal with us on Sunday afternoons and head to wherever the road would take us in that old '58 Dodge stationwagon.

I vividly remember one Sunday afternoon hiking around the foothills north of Helena and I remember looking up at the hill we had stopped by. Should I climb it? Could I climb it? I did, but I can still remember how climbing it made my young body feel. It was tough. I thought I was in pretty good shape physically as a young teen, but climbing that "mountain" wore me out. It turned out to be a daunting task.

Over the years I've wanted to start a hobby, a diet, a project of some kind and the prospect of doing whatever it was, was a little daunting as well. Some things (maybe a lot of things) in life are like that. They seem too overwhelming to even start.

Last Sunday morning I started to preach through Paul's Letter to the Romans. Let me tell you the prospect of teaching what theologians and biblical academics call "The Greatest Letter Ever Written" is a daunting task as well. As preparation I listened to John Piper's introductory message when he started to preach through Paul's letter to the Christians in Rome and he said the same thing I've felt for some years. He said the possibility of preaching through Romans felt like looking at a great mountain preparing to climb it.

I've wanted to preach through Romans for sometime now, and I'd come to the mountain called Romans and looked up, but I never could get started. It was too intimidating. If I'm honest it was too frightening. How could I preach and teach the flock that God has entrusted me with here in Boulder, Montana what Martin Luther called, "the chief part of the New Testament?"

But last Sunday the time was right in God's sovereignty and grace to start climbing Romans. And I will need a special measure of His grace to finish that magnificent letter. Starting it was amazing. I felt like there was material in the introduction that God could even use to grow me and others spiritually. I can't wait to see what God has in store for us as we drink from the depths of the New Testament in order for God to teach us and remind us and help us apply timeless truths from His word.

Be a Positive Example

As I've been preaching through Paul's Letter to the Philippians and as I've come to the end of chaper two there are three small bios there: himself (2:17-18), Timothy (vv. 19-24) and a man named Epaphroditus (vv. 25-30). These three men are model spiritual examples for us to live like.

Paul gives us five ways that the second man, Timothy, is a model spiritual example to us. First he was available for ministry (vv. 19 & 23). He was a kindred spirit to Paul (v. 20a). He was genuinely concerned for the Philippian Christians (v. 20b-21). Timothy was also a man of proven worth in ministry to Paul (v. 22a) and a man with a servants heart (v. 22b). Quite an exceptional resume from the pen of the apostle Paul.

Question...Do you want to be a GOOD example to others? Are you a POSITIVE example to those around you (especially your family).

This isn't 100%, but Dads, the research and the numbers say that you must be an engaged loving father to your children, and their mother, a postive Christian example to your kids, for them to stay in the church and follow Christ closely. I know that the Lord must be involved in the lives of children in order for them to follow Christ, but we Dads have respnsibility in this area too. Ephesians 6:4 comes to mind, "And, fathers, do not provoke your children to anger; but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord."

I've been praying a lot for the teens of our church family that they would follow Christ closely and stay involved in a Bible believeing/teaching church when they leave home for college or for whatever God has in store for them. It is my prayer that godly men would point them to Christ with their actions and words.

A Dad was explaning to his son what a Christian man was like and after the boy listened intently to the explaination he looked at his father and asked, "Dad, have we ever seen a Christian man?"

Christian Dad's (and other Christian men) be good, positive Christian examples to the children around you!

Dan

Practice Takes Time and Energy

My wife bought me a used Martin DX1 acoustic guitar last Christmas that sounds amazing. The problem is is that it doesn't play itself. I have to practice in order to learn to play it. It can sound as amazing as can be, but if it sits in the case and I never pick it up, the rich chord sounds that can come out of it never will.

Practice takes time and on top of keeping up with the mandolin, painting the house this summer (we're almost done), and everything else in life and ministry I haven't given the Martin the time I need to in order to play and lead our youth group in a few worship songs. Plus the guitar is way larger than the mandolin. The mandolin is relatively easy to carry around, but the guitar is a whole other story.

Anyway, like learning to play the guitar, new things in life, even amazingly good things, take time. Building relationships in order to share Christ and model him in my life takes time. Cultivating a deeper friendship with my wife takes time. Building into our daughter's lives takes time. Shepherding the people God has entrusted me with as His undershepherd takes time. Building into the kid's of our youth group takes time as well.

The apostle Paul wrote, "Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing" (1 Thessalonians 5:11). It takes time and energy to encourage and build up other people. It does.

And growing my relationship with Christ takes time and energy as well. The psalmist wrote in Psalm 43:4, "Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy; and upon the lyre I shall praise You, O God, my God." There is time involved to be in God's word and prayer. It takes time and energy to practice and play the lyre (guitar or mandolin) in order to praise God through music.

Lord as I have these 24 hours today, help me to use them wisely as I live for you spending the time I need to grow my relationship with You and others (and practice the guitar as well).

Dan

New Strings and Sanctification

My mandolin was restrung with new D'Addario strings last week. Last evening as the country/bluegrass band I play with once a week (and gig with once in a while) got together, the new strings finally were stretched enough and today they sound really great. My Morgan Monroe mando sounds better and better the more I play it. The molecules that make it up must be getting aligned just right.

This week I'm preaching from Paul's Letter to the Philippians 2:12-13 where he writes that we're to obey and work "out" our salvation with fear and trembling (v. 12) . Then in v. 13 he says that God is at work in us both to will and to work for His good pleasure. Amazing truths, right? Just think, God is at work in you if you're a believer in Jesus Christ.

We're to work "out" our salvation (not work "for") by obedience to God's word. And then at the same time we're to remember that God is at work in us willing for His pleasure our growing Christlikeness. In other words, God keeps putting new strings on us. He keeps restringing us and we sound better and better each day for His glory (1 Cor. 10:31). The process of us working "out" and God working "in" us is called sanctification and means holy and set apart.

Thank the Lord today that He doesn't leave us alone in our spiritual growth, but is actively involved in the process called sanctification. Thank Him for the new strings.

Dan

Good Reading

The pastor's group I am involved with is slowly reading the book Heaven written by Randy Alcorn. Needless to say the book is fascinating. It's basically a biblical theology of heaven. Alcorn is really stretching us as he brings us verse after verse of Scripture arguing that the New Heaven and New Earth (Revelation 21:1) will someday (in God's timing) be right here on this earth (though renewed), thus it will be a very physical place. I recommend the book. It will make you think about your preconceived thoughts and beliefs of eternity. And it's amazing how many Scriptures Alcorn uses as he writes. Great book so far as I read.

I also just started reading a book titled, What Is a Healthy Church written by Pastor Mark Dever. The first chapter of this book also stretched me. I can't wait to read and digest the rest of it. The first chaper deals with those who call themselves Christians but are not involved in a local church. Dever says on page 26, "And never does the New Testament conceive of the Christian existing on a prolonged basis outside the fellowship of the church." In my experience as a pastor there are many, many people who call themselves Christians (and tell others they are) but never ever meet with a local church congregation. To me those people are a spiritual contradiction at best and at worse self-deceived and unsaved. Like Dever I've not found any evidence in the New Testament where the writer's say it's okay for a believer to be lax or uncommitted to a local church. In fact the opposite is true from God's word (Acts 2:42; Hebrews 10:24-25).

So I encourage you to read GOOD Christian books that are will stretch you spiritually. Maybe you and a group of Christians could choose a book and commit to read a chapter a week and get together and discuss it. If you do you'll grow to love it and you'll grow spiritually as well.

Dan

State Gospel Music Jamboree

Last week (Thursday - Saturday) I attended our denomination's state gospel music jamboree in Billings. In attendance were advanced, intermediate, and beginner acoustic musicians in order to learn more about their craft, do a little jamming together, as well as fellowshiping with each other. Others attended just to sing and enjoy the music. Fellowship Baptist Church (FBC) in Billings, MT hosted the event. My hat's off to Pastor Ken, his staff, and those who are FBC. They all did a great job serving us and making us feel at home. Thank you FBC!

As I attend meetings and conferences I always try to go with an open heart for what God has for me and also how I can encourage and build-up others. In the Bible Study Friday morning that was brought to us the Lord gave me something I used in yesterday's sermon. In the gospel of John 5:19 it was pointed out that Jesus didn't come to earth with His own adjenda, but instead He was all about doing the things of His Father. I shared at the end of my sermon yesterday from Philippians 2:5-11 that if Jesus came without His own adjenda, how dare we come to ministry and church things with our man-made adjendas. Thank You for that truth Lord. The Bible study on Saturday morning was about the different stringed, horn, and percussion musical instruments in the Bible and the question was asked which instrument is the most important in the Bible. Answer: God's people (you and me). Great insight from the Scriptures.

If you're a Christian musician keep playing your music to the glory of God. If you're a believer in Christ and you feel the Lord wanting you to play or sing for Him, prayerfully choose an instrument and get started. Practicing for just 15 minutes a day will help you get better and better in no time. Music is a great way to praise and magnify the Lord. It is also a great way to meet non-believers in order to build relationships with them and share Christ with them as well.

Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus today (Hebrews 12:2).

Dan

Washing Feet

As pastor of FBC-Boulder, Montana I have been preaching through Paul's Letter to the Philippians. The last few weeks we've been at the start of chapter two which deals with humility and specifically as it has to do with the attitude of Jesus Christ. We've extensively studied vv. 2-5 and Jesus' attitude of selflessness and not merely looking out for His own interests, but instead looking out for the interests of others. The apostle Paul wanted the Philippian Christians to be together in unity (v. 2) and the way to do that was to have the humble attitude of Christ (v. 5).

Verses 6-8 are a Christological treasure trove of truth concerning Jesus' deity and humanity, while vv. 9-11 are God the Father's response to His Son and His sacrifice on the cross (v. 8). As part of the introduction of these messages we looked at the example of Jesus in the gospel of John chapter 13:1-11 when He stooped in humility and washed His disciples dirty stinky feet the night before His crucifixion. Yesterday I asked the saints who make up Boulder Baptist Church if they (figuratively) washed anyone's feet last week. I also encouraged them to look for ways to humbly do the same this week.

What about you? Whose feet will you wash this week. Who will you stoop in humility to serve? "Have this [humble] attitude in yourself which was also in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 2:5). Ask the Lord to lead you to someone whose feet you can wash. Ask Him to lead you to someone you can humbly serve like Jesus did. I'll do the same.

Dan

Why Mandolin and Ministry?

What's your passion? What makes you tick? What really interests you?

If you're a believer in Jesus Christ as I am you have a mandate from the Scriptures to glorify God. 1 Corinthians 10:31 says, "Whether, then you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God" (NASB). So it makes sense to use your passion, what really interests you, to and for the glory of God. Never thought of that before? Neither had I up until three years ago when I heard a message at a conference where the speaker said exactly that. "Use whatever interests you to glorify God." The speaker used 1 Corinthians chapter 9 as the text he was preaching from, especially v. 23 where the apostle Paul says, "And I do all things for the sake of the gospel." As you read this you can purpose to do the same. You can purpose to do "all" you do for the sake of the gospel of Christ. You can start with whatever your passion is.

That's why this blog is titled Mandolin and Ministry Minute. I love playing the mandolin. I mean I really like playing it. It might sound funny to you but even when I practice I make it a worship time with the Lord. Even if I'm playing some of the old mountain songs that the mandolin has made famous I play them to the glory of God.

So try it Christians. Let me know how it goes. I'm telling you if you do "all things for the sake of the gospel" your life will be changed. It will.

Dan

Welcome to the Mandolin and Ministry Minute

Welcome to my blog Mandolin and Ministry Minute. My name is Pastor Dan McCarl. I serve God's people who are named First Baptist Church in Boulder, Montana. We live in a smaller rural community of approx. 1,300 people in Southwestern Montana thirty miles between Helena (Montana's capital city) and Butte on Interstate #15. Boulder is nestled beautifully in the Rocky Mountains and whatever season it is we're always reminded of God's awesomeness in creation. Boulder truly is a beautiful place.

I've been married to my bride Karen (28 years last Saturday). It's been a good ride babe! We have two daughters, Amanda (23 married to Dan since Dec. '08) and Mernie 21. All three are follwing the Lord!

I love playing the mandolin. I play a Morgan Monroe F-style mando and a Michale Kelly F-style that I use for praise and worship on Sunday's. I'm also learning to chord and strum a Martin DX-1 acoustic guitar that I hope to use in praise and worship as well.

Trout fishing in our nearby Boulder River is also an interest of mine (a friend and I caught 17 a week ago) as is reading. I have read many of Dr. John MacArthur's books and commentaries and am currently reading and studying two of Dr. John Piper's materials, Desiring God, and What's the Difference, which is teaching on the truths of biblical manhood and womanhood. Both MacArthur's and Piper's writings, sermons, and teachings have impacted my life greatly.

One last hobby is my flower gardening. I love tending a small flower garden in our front yard each summer. I find it extremely fun to watch plants grow and flourish in our very short growing season here in Montana.

Anyway, welcome and come back often.

Dan