Happy Friday – and Happy Father’s Day Weekend
The Bible has a lot to say about marriage, but it’s different than most think. The focus is more on the union of Christ and the church (his bride) than on events here on earth. Two things follow: first, in light of eternity, it will not seem odd that the marriage of the Lamb is compared to the union of a husband and wife, it will seem odd that our earthly marriages were ever compared to Christ’s love for his bride; second, those of us who are married should more aggressively find ways to follow the example of Jesus and sacrifice for our spouse.
Are you a Leader? According to a recent study, leaders are unaware: 1) of how much they talk; 2) of how harshly they treat others; and 3) how often they change their mind.
Quotes Worth Requoting:
- For the secular soul, Twitter is prayer–sharing your inmost thoughts with the greatest audience. Mark Dever
- Every father should remember that one day his son will follow his example, not his advice.Charles Kettering
- It is easier for a father to have children than for children to have a real father. Pope John XXIII
100X: I spent part of this week in Dallas attending events held in honor of Bob Buford, whorecently passed away. Buford, who wrote Half Time, started (and funded) the Leadership Network, and was the driving force behind the creation of the Peter Drucker Institute, was a remarkableman. After making a Texas-sized fortune in cable TV, he accepted Drucker’s assignment to “spend the rest of his life finding ways to release the latent energy in the American Church.” The list of business and ministry leaders who claim Buford as their most influential mentor reads like Who’s Who. Among one of the things most celebrated about Bob was very few people knew who he was because he was determined that “the fruit of his life was going to grow on the trees of others.” I met Bob twenty years ago, and met with him a dozen times – including one memorable episode in which he read me the proverbial riot act. Bob was a keen listener, a consummate encourager and someone who demanded you give your best to others. Acts 8:2. (By the way, 100X – his short hand for the servant who got a one hundred fold return for his master in Matthew 13 – was Bob’s goal).
What’s Hot and What’s Not: In previous Updates I’ve drawn attention to trends (Jordan Peterson, discussions about the limits of liberalism, the decline in the global birthrate) and the things we would expect to hear about but do not (discussions about Jesus (and his impact) in a college classroom, ditto for the impact of the church, financial transparency among close friends, etc.). What is suddenly hot? Hospitality. Both secular and Christian blogs are writing about it. What’s not? Real men. In honor of Father’s Day allow me to point out that, even though there is growing acceptance of plus size female models, and even though we now have ethnic and age diversity among male models, I have yet to see an ad campaign that includes a male model who lacks broad shoulders and a flat stomach.
Chapter 7 or Chapter 13: Faith in Christ involves repentance – i.e., we declare personal, spiritual bankruptcy. The question is, Chapter 7 (total liquidation) or Chapter 13 (relief from some of our debt and a chance to restructure the rest)? Chapter 7 is required. Most think chapter 13. (By the way, though Chapter 7 allows you to dispense with most of your debt, it is not complete. Nothing comes close to be as amazing as God’s grace and forgiveness).
Prayer Request: As with Mother’s Day, Father’s Day is a fun day for some and a horrible day for others. Pray that those who are hurting are cared for. Please also pray that the attention on North Korea leads toward peace on the global stage and help for the suffering in NK.
Closing Prayer: Open the eyes of our hearts to know you, who are the highest of the high, the holiest of the holy. You bring down the haughtiness of the proud, and thwart the schemes of the dishonest. You raise up the lowly and cast down the lofty. Riches and poverty, death and life, are in your hand. You alone can discern every spirit, looking into the depths of every soul. You protect those in danger, give hope to those in despair, and guide every creature on earth. By your power the nations of the earth can flourish and increase. Grant us, Lord, we beseech you, your grace. Pity the poor, encourage those who are sad, enlighten those whose spirits are in darkness, heal the sick, guide the confused, feed the hungry, release those who are unjustly imprisoned, support the weak, comfort the faint-hearted. Let all the nations of the world know that you are God, that Jesus Christ is your child, and that we are your people. Amen. Clement or Rome (died 96)