Ernest Hemingway once wrote to his friend F. Scott Fitzgerald concerning heaven:
To me heaven would be a big bull ring with me holding two barrera seats and a trout stream outside that no one else was allowed to fish in and two lovely houses in the town; one where I would have my wife and children and be monogamous and love them truly and well and the other where I would have my nine beautiful mistresses on nine different floors.
Hemingway lived a most hedonistic life. And that his assessment of heaven is carnal and fleshly should not surprise us. The Bible says, “For those who live according to the flesh, set their minds on the things of the flesh” (Rom. 8:5). Sadly, Hemingway’s heaven is nothing more than a place on earth.
However, his statement does challenge me to assess my view of heaven. Do I view heaven as a place where I will find all my earthly pleasures met? Do I think of heaven as a reality where I am living at the height of human imagination? Or do I see it as the place where all my pleasures are completed in the beauty and glory of Christ?
If heaven is anything it is intimacy with Christ; where I know him even as he knows me. It is a place where my rapture is in his glory and my redeemed mind is fixed on the wonders and beauty of the Redeemer. I long for heaven, not because I will have a fishery to myself or houses populated with servants. But because I will have Christ and Christ will have me.
We met this past Saturday for another Choppin it Up session and it was everything we anticipated and more. I have said it before, but I never tire of saying it. The men of East Point Church are an indispensable encouragement to me. God has been pleased to bring to our fellowship men who desire to know the truth and apply it to life. And though at times the truth is hard, they do not shy away from it and the need to keep each other accountable to it. This was never more on display than this weekend when we took up the hard and yet glorious topic of Marriage, Divorce, and Remarriage.
The conversation was serious and sober. The food was equally unforgettable. There was the whole range of emotions as we shared and challenged each other to see marriage, divorce, and remarriage as the Scriptures see them. I have looked at these issues for years and yet I can honestly say that I have never been more edified, encouraged, or challenged on these issues as I was this past weekend. There was differences of opinions and challenges to interpretations. There were passionate pleas and hopeful encouragements. And yet in the end, the brothers who sharpened each other did so with a mind toward the gospel and the knowledge that where sin abounds, grace abounds all the more. I love these brothers because they remind me that the gospel trumps it all!
Have you ever been asked, “Which do you want first, the good news or the bad?” None of us wants to hear bad news. We want lives free from discord. We want a world where nothing happens but that which continually enhances our smiles. The only tears we want to cry are tears of joy. We want relationships that do nothing but bring happiness and laughter to our lives. As children, we want parents to do whatever we ask; and as parents we want children to do the same. The reality, however, is never quite so neat.
It seems like some part of everyday is met with bad news. Whether it is earthquakes in diverse places; or war deaths on foreign soil; or a flat tire when you are already late for work; or a leaking roof; or a delayed flight; or a suspended child, life inevitably comes with its share of bad news. The question is not how do we avoid the bad news, the question is how do we respond to it. What will be our response to the next time we hear bad news?
This morning I read a most encouraging and even challenging word from God. In Psalm 112:5-7 God says:
It is well with the man who deals generously and lends; who conducts his affairs with justice. For the righteous will never be moved; he will be remembered forever. He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the LORD.
The proper response to bad news is a heart that is firmly trusting in the Lord. This is the result of a person who deals righteously with people and seeks the honor of God at all times. This is possible because the person knows that the bad news, just like the good news, ultimately comes from God and if I can trust and praise Him in the good news, I can do the same in the bad.
Today you may be faced with some bad news. You may have faced it last night. I want to commend to you the trust of the Lord. Fear not the bad news. No matter how bad the news, the good news, even the gospel of Jesus Christ, is always greater still.
On Thursday evenings in Bible Study, we have been studying Discipleship. We are using the book by Stephen Smallman entitled The Walk. In the chapter The Call to Salvation and Discipleship, Smallman writes: “By itself the gospel is only words – true and wonderful words, but only words.”
The truth of this statement is jaw-slapping. It is a wake up call to all who would preach that our words don’t actually have any power in themselves. No matter how eloquent or clever, insightful or passionate, our proclamation of the gospel must be accompanied by the power of the Holy Spirit if they are going to be heard and responded to in faith. Smallman goes on to remind us that the gospel proclamation changes people “because the Holy Spirit pressess the truth of the gospel into hearts in a way that transform from within.”
Today, I am encouraged all the more to preach the gospel without gimmicks or apology because I know that the Holy Spirit can and at His sovereign pleasure will cause blinded eyes to see and deaf ears to hear the glory that is salvation through Jesus Christ alone. I pray that it would please God to accompany our preaching with the Spirit of His power for the salvation and joy of His people. (See 1Thes. 4-10 and 2Thes. 2:13-15).
Congratulations is due to our fair (no pun intended) city. Atlanta has been dubbed “the gayest city in America.” To those of us who have lived here for any length of time, this is not a surprise. The gay community in Atlanta is visible, vocal, and vigilant. They are politically active and well organized. Their voice is heard among the power structures of politics and business. Atlanta has long been known by those in the know as a hub for gay and lesbian activity, business, and nightlife. For those outside of the south, this may seem to be a shocker. The southeast is the heart of the bible-belt, and conservative politics and morality generally rules. However, Atlanta is the exception.
While it lies in the heart of the Bible-belt, and church billboards align the skyline almost as frequently as Coke does, Atlanta remains an international, progressive, and liberal city. Not only is the politics liberal, but so too are the churches. True gospel centered, Christ-exalting churches are relatively few. Most churches are either caught up the liberal hermeneutic of the health and wealth doctrines, the liberalism of the social gospel, or general liberal ecumenism. The sad reality is that while people in Atlanta will go to church on any given weekend, the churches that are being attended most are woefully lacking gospel proclamation. To this end, I commend us to pray.
Pray that the gospel would have inroads not just to the lost Gay community, but even to the lost liberalism that is the vast majority of the churches. Pray for us as we seek to remain faithful and not fall prey to the compromise that so easily can beset us. Whether it realizes it or not, Atlanta desperately needs the gospel. The gayest city in the world is also one of the most religious, and sadly one of the most lost.
Yesterday the sermon was from Eph. 2:11-17. This portion of Scripture reminds us of the importance of remembering who we once were and what God has done for us in Christ Jesus. In preparation for the message, I recalled this passage from C.J. Mahaney in the book Living the Cross-Centered Life:
I’ve lived in the same part of Maryland since I was a boy. Hardly a month goes by that I’m not reminded of who I once was. Before God saved me from His righteous wrath in 1972, I, too, was a blasphemer. I lived for myself and my own pleasure. I lived in rebellion against God and mocked those who followed Him. I spent my high school and college years deeply immersed in the drug culture. Sometimes, late at night, my friends and I would seek out quiet, isolated places where we could come down safely from drug highs. On more than a few occasions it was a D.C monument. Other times a peaceful street under thick, deep trees. Or even the terminal of what was then a little used airport called Dulles, where the doors stayed open long after the day’s flights had ceased and we could move through the nearly deserted canyon of a building. Someday soon I’ll be near one of those places again, and the memories will flood back in. I’ll remember what I once was…and reminded of all I’ve received and experienced since then. Often my eyes fill with tears at the memories of my foolishness and sin. And in the same instant, my heart will be filled with an unspeakable, holy joy. By the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross, I’ve been forgiven of the countless sins I’ve committed.
I went to seminary in Orlando FL. Certain times of year the threat of hurricanes and tornadoes was real. In fact, it would seem that for a few months every year we were watching the TV every evening as the weather people tracked the latest hurricane building in the Caribbean and making its way toward Florida. Whenever a hurricane would miss us (and most of them did) we would always comment on how blessed we were that we were missed. Inevitably we would sit around class and discuss the terror that just passed us by.
One of our professors (Richard Pratt to be exact) once said that we were wrong to pray for the hurricane to miss us, even as it reeked havoc on the far lesser equipped island nations of the Caribbean. He would insist that he would rather for the hurricane to hit Florida than the Dominican Republic. He would say that we are better able to withstand such disasters. Our Emergency Response Teams are far superior to those other nations. Our infrastructure is exponentially better. If any must suffer from natural disasters, let it be us.
Besides, he would say, before you praise God for not blowing down your house, you should pray for those homes in the islands that He did blow down. And why should the United States or any of us here at the seminary get spared when so many are suffering?
Richard had a way of raining on our parades. And yet this evening as I prepare to go to prayer meeting, his words and admonitions are fresh in my mind. With the steady stream of heart wrenching pictures and reports coming out of Haiti, one could not help but wonder why Haiti and not us. Why do those who already suffer, have to suffer more? Why do those who struggle to get a clean glass of water, also have to have the buildings collapse upon them?
Well, I don’t know the answers to these questions, but I do kn0w (or better yet, am known by) the God who not only knows the answers, but also orchestrates the world and is His own interpreter. And so tonight we pray because God is our only hope. We pray for the lost souls of Haiti. We pray for the suffering souls of Haiti. We pray for the relief workers in Haiti. We pray for the necessary funds to reach Haiti. We pray for the churches and missionaries in Haiti. And we pray for ourselves that our compassion would continue to rise, and that we never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for me (Luke 13:1-5).
This morning we were awakened to the devastating news of the tragic earthquake in Haiti. The damage appears to be incalculable. Let us keep the people of Haiti in our prayers and particularly our sister Cheron Hardy and the orphanage Hope Haven in Cap Haitian.
Update from Cheron Hardy:
Dear Family, Friends and Supporters,
Thank you for your prayers!!! The children and I are doing fine….despite the psychological trauma of what’s happened to the country. In Cap Haitian we felt 3 sets of aftershocks, when my sister called with news of the worst, I had only just felt the first tremor. Then phone service went out (I also don’t have internet, and am using a friends). Cap Haitan was not affected like Port au Prince, so we are ok. However as those of you have supported me over the years know, Haiti is almost totally centralized in Port au Prince, so when they have problems that means our banks don’t work, there’s not access to fuel (to pump water) etc. So our life gets seriously impacted, however in light of what’s happened we are not complaining about more daily inconveniences.
I spent the morning getting fuel for the orphanage before it runs out. My thoughts are scattered at present. I just wanted people to know I’m ok.
Please pray for:
-for the whole country of Haiti, for the lost souls to here the gospel, and for aid to come in quickly
-for our needs to be met (such as money with the banks down-we have it but can’t get to it), fuel, water etc.
-there continue to be heavy rains in Cap Haitian so pray that flooding doesn’t exacerbate our situation
-peace at the orphanage when school is down, and rains keep us inside
-my health, which is not serious but not great either
-for us to know how to help those in need.
As soon as I know of a good way to direct funds to this problem I will let you know….
Again thank you for the prayers, and PLEASE keep them coming.
At peace because of assurance in Christ Jesus,
Cheron Rose Hardy
Eternal Hope in Haiti
Sam Cooke was one of the most influential, talented, and renaissance singers we have seen in the last 100 years. I remember the first time I heard Sam Cooke sing. I stopped everything else I was doing and just listened to his unmistakable voice and marvelled at the power and simplicity of it. I wanted to sing like that (no hope)!
Sam Cooke started out singing in the church where his father was the pastor. He got his big chance when he joined The Soul Stirrers and began singing “gospel” music. Here is Sam Cooke and the Soul Stirrers singing my favorite, Jesus Gave Me Water:
There are few voices that when I hear them, I am emotionally moved by the power and passion. Sam Cooke is unparalleled in my mind. Well, a voice like his was not long for the gospel circuit. The lure of money and fame was too much. And though the music changed, the voice and passion did not. Here is Sam Cooke singing what many believe to be the best song he ever wrote (and he wrote many), A Change is Gonna Come.
We throw around superlatives far too frequently. But with Sam Cooke I am very comfortable in saying that he truly is incomparable.
Ernest Hemingway once wrote to his friend F. Scott Fitzgerald concerning heaven:
