Check out this cool flash illustration demonstrating the scale of the known objects within the universe.

HT: NT Resources Blog

External Link: http://htwins.net/scale2/

Each month our church publishes a newsletter that includes an article that I write called “The Pastor’s Pen.” We typically send these newsletters to church members, visitors, and other friends. I’ve uploaded the February 2012 edition for anyone interested. Just follow the link below for a pdf copy of the newsletter.

February 2012 Reflections from Calvary

• May 2011 – Graduated from Central Baptist Theological Seminary with an M.Div
• June-July 2011 – Filled pulpit and ultimately was put forward as a candidate for the opening of Pastor at Calvary Baptist Church of Ovid, MI.
• August 2011 – Accepted the call to pastor Calvary Baptist Church of Ovid, MI and moved from Minneapolis to Ovid.
• August-November 2011 – Went without a reliable internet connection!

Anyway… I hope to get back to at least updating this blog every now and then.

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The psalm begins with David’s cry to God to have mercy upon him. In verses 1-6 you can hear the agony of David’s heart when he utters phrases like: “I am restless in my complaint,” “my heart is in anguish within me,” and “Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest.” These verses capture the nuances of human emotion in a way that is striking and real. David is recounting for us the feelings of being forsaken by a close friend. Verse 20 says, “My companion stretched out his hand against his friends” and verse 21 “his speech was smooth as butter, yet war was in his heart.”

I am sure we all can identify with David’s affliction and outpouring of emotion. He has elaborated for us, in vivid color, the unique nature of being forsaken by a companion. David’s “familial friend” is hurling down trouble; he is taunting and mocking, and his speech is as a drawn sword over David. All the while David wishes he could find refuge somewhere. He wishes he could just “fly away” as a dove.

This is where verse 22 interrupts this tragic scene with words of encouragement.

Cast your burden on the LORD,
and he will sustain you;
he will never permit
the righteous to be moved.
-Psalm 55:22

Some commentators believe that verse 22 should be viewed as someone (like a prophet or godly friend) coming into the scene to encourage David. This explanation seems like a very real possibility as you read through the Psalm. Throughout the Psalm, David focuses on the Lord, but it is only until verse 22 that a concrete promise about God appears. It is in this context that verse 22 almost seems sudden. Abrupt.

The promise of verse 22 is even more striking than its abruptness. David has cried for relief; verse 22 is the answer.

The Septuigant (a Greek translation of the Old Testament used occasionally by Jesus, Paul, etc.) translates the phrase “cast your burden on the Lord” using similar wording to 1 Peter 5:7 which commands that believers are to be “casting all your anxieties on him.”

The second half of verse 22 (“He will never permit the righteous to be moved”) utters a Hebrew phrase: לֹא־יִתֵּן לְעוֹלָם מוֹט לַצַּדִּיק (lo-yitten le’olam mot latstsaddiq). What is neat about this phrase is found in the way this promise is communicated. David uses the strongest form of a negative injunction possible in the Hebrew. This phrase is similar to the prohibitions given in the Ten Commandments “Thou shalt not…” As if saying this was not enough, David adds the word “forever” or “unto antiquity” to the phrase. Thus, David states that “He will NOT permit, forever, the righteous to be moved.” David’s promise could not be more sure, more emphatic, or more durative.

For David, God was the haven in which he found rest. When David fled, he fled to God.

An example of an available map at the Visual Unit website is shown below:

• How J.I. Packer Got Started Writing Books
• C.S. Lewis’s Advice on Writing Well
• How to Write a Good Book Proposal
• How to Write a Non-Fiction Book Proposal
• How to Write a Theological Paper
• Improve Your Theological Reading and Writing
• Becoming a Better Writer
• Reading Advice for Wannabe Writers
• Top 10 Tips for Better Writing
• Discussion on Writing Well

If you know of any other blogs which regularly post on writing, particularly those dealing with Christianity, please leave me a note in the comments.

I am always looking for new and interesting ways that Traci and I can spend time together reading and studying the Scriptures. This last Christmas we read through an advent devotional for the forty days leading up to Christmas. It was an interesting experience as it provided many Scriptures that caused us to reflect on the real significance of Christmas.

After Christmas, Traci and I began a two-year Bible reading plan. We both have really enjoyed reading through this plan (you can learn about the plan we are using here and download it here). It is divided up very nicely, so that each day covers a complete section of Bible narrative, yet leaves time for discussion.

The only down side to this reading plan is that you don’t read the New Testament until approximately halfway through your second year. Therefore, Traci and I thought it would be fun to read a few different books together on the New Testament as time allows.

One superb book that we have read through is the book by Bruce Longnecker entitled The Lost Letters of Pergamum. This book is an historical fiction work that is essentially a compilation of letters that were supposedly discovered in Pergamum. These letters are based on an actual man named Antipas who was martyred in the city of Pergamum (Revelation 2:13). The book traces the fictional correspondence of Antipas with the Biblical author Luke. These letters cover a period one year prior to Antipas’ conversion through to Antipas’ martyrdom. Throughout the book Antipas questions Luke about sections of his Gospel and Antipas interacts with members of churches in Pergamum. The book provides a great commentary of life in the early church and Traci and I have learned much from the book. If you are interested in discovering what life was like for the early church this is a must read. It is not simply informational but also quite moving. The book would also be a fun complement to a devotional study through the book of Luke.

The one downside to the book is that it does contain some descriptions of the brutality of Roman execution and torture. These descriptions, though not excessively gory, are historically accurate and quite sad. Thus the book would not be a good book to read with your children.

Should you decide to read the book, you might also be interested in taking a look at some of my photos from the Pergamum Altar. When Traci and I took our missions trip to Germany we stopped into the Pergamum museum in Berlin. The Pergamum Museum has reconstructed massive sections of the altar in Pergamum. The altar, in the photos below, may be what John references in Revelation 2:13 as “Satan’s throne.”

View at Picasa Pergamum Altar11-Aug-2010 17:04, Canon Canon EOS DIGITAL RE, 4.0, 25.0mm, 0.04 sec, ISO 250	View at Picasa Pergamum Altar11-Aug-2010 17:04, Canon Canon EOS DIGITAL RE, 4.0, 25.0mm, 0.04 sec, ISO 320	View at Picasa Pergamum Altar11-Aug-2010 16:18, Canon Canon EOS DIGITAL RE, 3.5, 18.0mm, 0.04 sec, ISO 320
View at Picasa Pergamum Altar11-Aug-2010 17:05, Canon Canon EOS DIGITAL RE, 3.5, 18.0mm, 0.04 sec, ISO 250	View at Picasa Scultpures surrounding Pergamum Altar11-Aug-2010 17:05, Canon Canon EOS DIGITAL RE, 5.0, 36.0mm, 0.033 sec, ISO 800	View at Picasa Mosaic on top of Pergamum Altar11-Aug-2010 17:17, Canon Canon EOS DIGITAL RE, 4.5, 24.0mm, 0.033 sec, ISO 200
View at Picasa Mosaic on top of Pergamum Altar11-Aug-2010 17:17, Canon Canon EOS DIGITAL RE, 4.0, 23.0mm, 0.02 sec, ISO 200	View at Picasa Scultpures surrounding Pergamum Altar11-Aug-2010 17:16, Canon Canon EOS DIGITAL RE, 5.6, 55.0mm, 0.017 sec, ISO 800	View at Picasa Scultpures surrounding Pergamum Altar11-Aug-2010 17:16, Canon Canon EOS DIGITAL RE, 5.6, 46.0mm, 0.02 sec, ISO 640
View at Picasa Scultpures surrounding Pergamum Altar11-Aug-2010 16:18, Canon Canon EOS DIGITAL RE, 4.5, 32.0mm, 0.033 sec, ISO 800	View at Picasa Scultpures surrounding Pergamum Altar11-Aug-2010 16:19, Canon Canon EOS DIGITAL RE, 5.0, 35.0mm, 0.033 sec, ISO 640	View at Picasa Scultpures surrounding Pergamum Altar11-Aug-2010 16:19, Canon Canon EOS DIGITAL RE, 4.5, 35.0mm, 0.033 sec, ISO 640
View at Picasa Scultpures surrounding Pergamum Altar11-Aug-2010 16:22, Canon Canon EOS DIGITAL RE, 4.0, 25.0mm, 0.04 sec, ISO 200	View at Picasa Scultpures surrounding Pergamum Altar11-Aug-2010 16:22, Canon Canon EOS DIGITAL RE, 4.5, 33.0mm, 0.033 sec, ISO 800	View at Picasa Scultpures surrounding Pergamum Altar11-Aug-2010 16:23, Canon Canon EOS DIGITAL RE, 4.0, 28.0mm, 0.033 sec, ISO 640
View at Picasa Statues surrounding Pergamum Altar11-Aug-2010 17:05, Canon Canon EOS DIGITAL RE, 3.5, 18.0mm, 0.033 sec, ISO 200	View at Picasa Map of Pergamum11-Aug-2010 16:19, Canon Canon EOS DIGITAL RE, 5.6, 55.0mm, 0.04 sec, ISO 800	View at Picasa Model of Pergamum Altar11-Aug-2010 17:05, Canon Canon EOS DIGITAL RE, 3.5, 20.0mm, 0.04 sec, ISO 200

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In the summer of 2004, between my junior and senior years in Bible college, I had the opportunity of serving as a summer intern pastor at Bethany Baptist Church in Grand Blanc, MI. The summer was a tremendous learning opportunity for me both from a spiritual standpoint and from a professional standpoint. The internship was my first real exposure to pastoral ministry, and it radically changed my perception of what pastoral ministry is all about.

One of the “growing” experiences I was confronted with was the level and intensity of the reading my senior pastor assigned for me. In Bible college we did a fair amount of reading but nothing quite compared with the quality and quantity of the reading assigned for my summer internship.

Another “growing” experience occurred during one of my regular meetings with my senior pastor that same summer. In one of my regular meetings with my senior pastor, we started talking about reading in the ministry and about its importance. I remember him showing me a large stack of books that he had set aside at the beginning of the year and had purposed to read. I remember being shocked that he was able to read so much material while preparing for all the other aspects of the ministry. As I look back on that experience, I realize that part of my shock was simply due to my naiveté about pastoral ministry. Yet, it did provide me with a valuable lesson. Our pastor didn’t read all those books simply because he had nothing better to do, but he read those books because of his passion to better himself for the benefit of his congregation. He certainly could have filled his time with other activities and functions, yet he understood the value his learning would extend to those to whom he ministered.

In my current ministry as a youth pastor, I have had the privilege of sitting under the ministry of another godly man who has again expressed the value in reading. I have also noticed many of my seminary friends and colleagues go into full time ministry. Many of these men, likewise, have dedicated portions of their time to reading. As a seminary student, I have been required to read thousands of pages a semester. In fact, if you don’t enter seminary a reader you will very quickly become a reader (if for nothing more than to simply survive ). In all of these experiences one thing has become apparent: the men who make the very best pastors are not simply great preachers/teachers, but they are also great readers. Men who read, and read broadly, have a depth, determination, and direction that greatly enhances their effectiveness as ministers of the Gospel.

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The biggest hurdle in becoming a reader is, well, reading! Shocking, isn’t it! Yet, anyone can become a reader (and enjoy it) by simply making reading a habit. As you read and study, you begin to realize just how much you have been missing by not reading. In books you learn of men and women who have already met and conquered the challenges you are now facing. In books you discover new ways of approaching issues, events, tasks, problems. In books you learn that what you once thought to be a one dimensional issue is in reality a three dimensional issue. In books you learn!

However, this is not to say that all books are equally valuable. (In fact, some books are best used for kindling). Another hurdle in becoming a reader is knowing and understanding how to organize and prioritize your reading. If you always read the same type of material, you very quickly exhaust the benefits of reading. However, if you learn to read broadly and wisely you will greatly benefit your ministry. Don’t just read what interests you, but consider reading on issues where you are deficient.

A final hurdle in becoming a reader is to understand that all books ought not be read in the same way. Some books are best skimmed, while others must be carefully studied. Knowing when to read a book word-for-word and when to read a book concept-by-concept is a key task in the reading endeavor. No one reads a dictionary like a novel! A key to becoming a great reader is learning to apply this discernment to other types of works.

Recently, The Gospel Coalition blog has posted three articles asking three men about their reading habits. All three posts contain some excellent tips regarding developing and shaping your readings habits. I would encourage you to read all three: here, here, and here.

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This post is part of a series of Bible studies on the life and ministry of Elijah. You may read the other posts by clicking on one of the following links: Elijah: An Introduction; Elijah Part 1: An Example of Faith; Elijah Part 2: God’s Care for His Servant. I also have uploaded the audio of the second sermon in my series on the life of Elijah. (The first sermon of the series I hope to upload someday, but don’t have easy access to an audio copy).




As we have been working through the life of Elijah we have noticed how God has been sovereignly providing for Elijah. However, 1 Kings 17:7 seems to be a troubling twist in God’s provision for Elijah’s needs.

And after a while the brook dried up, because there was no rain in the land.
-1 Ki 17:7

As you ponder this addition to the story you may wonder… Why would God do this to Elijah? What is God’s plan in allowing this brook to dry up? Has God somehow forgotten about Elijah? Certainly God did not miscalculate the extend of the very drought which he sent in judgement for Israel’s sin. Neither should we assume that God has suddenly become unable to provide for this basic need of Elijah’s life.

God immediately reveals to Elijah his plan for Elijah’s continued provision and protection in 1 Kings 17:8-9.

Then the word of the Lord came to him, “Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and dwell there. Behold I have commanded a widow there to feed you.”
-1 Ki 17:8-9

In parts three and four of my study of the life of Elijah I would like to examine with you two different facets of God’s working and plan in the life of Elijah. The first facet of God’s purpose and plan that I would like to examine is in regard to the “big picture.” Just what was God accomplishing in the nation of Israel, through this unique twist in our story.

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I believe that God allowed the drying of the Brook Cherith for a specific reason. God desired to demonstrate, through the life of Elijah, his ability to provide even in the very “homeland” of Baal (note the map on the right and the location of Zarephath in Phoenecia). In fact, we have already noticed how God’s sending of the drought was meant to challenge Baal while punishing Israel’s rejection. Now God will challenge Baal by meeting the needs of the most destitute within the borders of Phoenicia.

God’s provision and protection challenge Baal and Baal’s worshippers by demonstrating Baal’s inability to thwart God’s plan. 1 Kings 16:31 reveals that Jezebel was “the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Sidonians.” Thus, Jezebel was the daughter of the King of Phoenicia. Furthermore, Zarephath is approximately 8 miles away from Sidon. Elijah is living within 8 miles of the father of the very queen who is seeking Elijah’s demise (1 Kings 18:3-4, 13). It is amazing not only that God provided for Elijah in this land, but that God even protected Elijah so very close to Jezebel’s hometown.

God’s provision and protection also demonstrate God’s discipline of Israel. Luke 4:24ff states this when it reveals that God’s sending of Elijah to Zarephath was a punishment for Israel’s unbelief. God bypassed all of Israel’s widows and sent Elijah to a Gentile widow. This widow’s receiving of blessing is thus an act of judgment upon all of Israel for their rejection of God.

Finally, God demonstrates his ability to overcome death in 1 Kings 17:17ff. While all of Israel and Phoenicia are starving and dying, God is shown to be capable of overcoming death itself.

I am reminded of Hebrews 12:5-11 and Proverbs 3:11-12 which proclaim that God “disciplines the one He loves.” When we read and examine these stories, we typically question how Israel could disobey God so obviously. We question how Israel could not grasp that their troubles were caused by their own rejection of God. Yet, we very often live and function with similar attitudes towards sin. God’s commands, teachings, and admonitions are so obvious and simple, yet we all fail so often to live by them. May we allow God’s judgement and work in the life of Israel to remind us that God is a living, omniscient God. He is a God who earnestly loves us, yet He also desires our sincere obedience and faith. God, not sin, is capable of meeting our needs for joy, satisfaction, and life.