time away

Alright, I admit that it's actually been a week since I got back from vacation, but with preaching yesterday and all the stuff waiting for me after a week away, I just didn't get time to blog last week. Right before all you Poly-ites took off for Spring Break, I took my family away for some vacation in the snow at Shaver Lake and rain in Fresno (who wouldn't want to vacation in Fresno??). It was the first time David and Matthias got to experience the snow--Matthias loved it (until he slipped on an icy patch), David...not so much.

As you can see form the pics, David took the opportunity to show off a little. He was sitting up all by himself and even standing and taking a couple steps (Lisa isn't holding him here!). Matthias was all about mastering his stair workout--and dressed for the part! Lisa enjoyed laying low with her boys and the dinner-theatre show we attended in the Tower District in Fresno. They did a good job with Beauty & the Beast and thanks to the grandparents; we got to make it a date night for us.

And me? Well, most of you know I love riding my bike these days. I had big plans to ride everyday of vacation so I might be able to hang with Greg K. and Scott Morton. I managed to get in a couple good rides, but between the weather (snow in the mountains and rain in the 'Sno) and getting lazy, how did I spend my time? Well...let's just call it quality time with my boys! This was our first real vacation since starting here—it was great to get away for a few days, though I have to say, it’s great to be back home too!

reflections on god's faithfulness

Last time I shared some thoughts on Deut. 16:1-21—the Feasts of Passover, Weeks and Booths—Reminders of God’s acting in Israel’s midst . This week I’m drawn to this question, “What do these stones mean to you?” This is the question the Lord told Israel their children would ask one day when passing by a monument of twelve stones they had taken out of the middle of the Jordan River in Joshua 4:1-7. I’ve heard it said that one generation experiences the Lord, the next generation assumes the Lord and the third generation abandons the Lord. These stones were to be a fresh first-hand experience of the Lord to the succeeding generations.

The Lord brought Israel through the Jordan on dry ground. The Lord had not only delivered them from slavery in Egypt, but He had brought into the Promised Land. God commanded Joshua to instruct the tribes to each send forth one man in to the River and to pick up a stone from under the feet of the priests who stood holding the Ark of the Covenant, “from the very place where the priests’ feet stood firmly, and bring them over with you and lay them down where you lodge tonight.” (Josh 4:3) Consider the scene for a moment. God is holding back the waters of the river, the priests are standing holding the Ark, Israel is on it’s way to destroy Jericho. There is business to attend to. The pragmatist in me says, “Forget the rocks, let’s get going here. We have things to accomplish for the Lord!”

The Lord though sees it differently. He knows how we humans forget. He knows this is a momentous occasion that must be remembered for the sake of Israel’s future faith. It’s not enough to just let the moment pass in the midst of the hustle and bustle of ministry. So He commends them to take these stones to set up a monument. Why? So that one day they would walk by with their kids—many not yet born—and the inquisitive young mind would look to his dad and ask, “Dad, what’s the deal with this pile of rocks?” The father would tell his son how he had crossed the river on dry land the day the Lord cut off the waters. Grandfather would tell grandson of his experience. Father would tell son of his own grandfather’s experience.

This monument was to be a sign form one generation to the next that would testify to the mighty acts of God in their midst. It would remind the first generation that it really happened. They would be forced to remember and testify to their own experience of God. It was an opportunity for following generations to experience the Lord firsthand themselves—to keep them from assuming the Lord.

During the 75th Anniversary we will looking afresh at various stones that have been left. Some that we aware of—perhaps some that have been forgotten. Their are some in our midst who were there, who can tell us what these stones mean to them. There are others who heard the stories firsthand. There are others still asking the question, “What do these stones mean to you?” 75 years is a momentous occasion that must be remembered for the sake of our own future faith. It’s not enough to just let the moment pass in the midst of the hustle and bustle of ministry. Let’s take this opportunity to erect a monument ourselves so that our children and grandchildren—those who celebrate 100, 150 and 200 years—will ask “What do these stones mean to you?”

why celebrate 75 years?

The closer we come to the the 75th Anniversary, the more I am convinced of the power of this time of remembrance and celebration and ministry to reform and renew our lives individually and corporately. In a recent discussion with Ted Malley I was reminded that I need to continually keep the purpose of the 75th before us all that we might might be stirred to action because of God’s faithfulness. Thank you for the humble reminder Ted! I think this is true for you our students especially as your time at Grace tends to be shorter. The purpose of the 75th celebration is to look back upon God’s faithfulness to past generations that we might reorient ourselves in the present and continue a legacy of faithfulness for future generations. Remembering what God has done reforms us in this moment the Lord has given us that we might pass the baton to others.

Since that conversation I have spent time in reflection and prayer over how to keep the biblical nature of such a celebration before us. I’ve decided over the coming weeks to share a passage of Scripture each week that is relevant to remembering God’s faithfulness. In addition to the passage, I will write a brief devotional thought on it to cause us to reflect on God’s Word and His steadfast loving-kindness toward us His people. I have been richly blessed through this exercise already and am eager to share some of what God has revealed to me.

Before I share some thoughts this week, I commend the following passages to you all to reflect on God’s call on our lives to remember and reflect on Who is and what He’s done:

• Genesis 9—God’s covenant of the rainbow which symbolize His covenant of mercy and grace toward every living creature.
• Exod. 12:14-32—The Feast of Unleavened Bread which celebrates Israel’s redemption from slavery.
• Exod. 31:12-18—The Sabbath commanded as a covenantal reminder that the LORD is Israel’s God—the One who created the world.
• Numbers 15:37-41—Tassals placed on the Israelites clothing that they would remember God’s commands.
• Deut. 16:1-21—the Feasts of Passover, Weeks and Booths—Reminders of God’s acting in their midst.
• Josh 4:1-13—Memorial stones that commemorate Israel’s crossing of the Jordan. A physical reminder so that their children would ask “What do these stones mean?”
• 1 Chron 16 (note esp. Vv. 7-36)--The Ark is brought to Jerusalem with celebration of God’s glory, delivery, covenant, provision of the Land, creation and everlasting loving-kindness.
• Neh. 1:4-11—the memorial power of God’s Word to point His people to Himself.
• Psalm 42—Remembering God’s faithfulness in the midst of trouble, harm and distress.
• Psalm 77 & 78 (A powerful duo!)—77—Remembering God’s mighty deeds in the face of feeling forgotten by God. 78—God’s mighty deeds of redeeming His people despite themselves—God’s faithful loving-kindness is certain!

Reflections on God’s Faithfulness
Throughout the history of Redemption God has used memorials and celebrations to stir His people to renewed and continued faithfulness. May the 75th do the same for us! I was particularly struck by Deut. 16:1-21—the Feasts of Passover, Weeks and Booths—Reminders of God’s acting in their midst this week. We may ask if God’s people should make such a big deal and throw lavish parties to “remember God’s faithfulness.” Deut. 16 speaks to that very issue. Here are three God-ordained lavish parties designed for God’s people to remember His faithfulness.

The Feast of the Passover was intended to recall the specific events by which Israel was redeemed from Egypt. For seven days the people were to eat unleavened bread to remind them of the fearful haste with which they left Egypt. Then they were to sacrifice the lamb and eat it.

The Feast of Weeks followed the Passover as a feast of thanksgiving. The point here is for the people to remember their former slavery in Egypt and to bless the needy—the Levites, foreigners, orphans and widows. The people were to bring an offering in accordance with their blessing—no determined amount!—with which to feast and joyously celebrate God’s good gifts to them. While the Passover is a solemn affair, the Feast of Weeks was an extravagant party in which all the people rejoiced.

Finally, the Feast of Tabernacles was a seven day camping excursion to remember God’s provision during Israel’s time in the wilderness. Again, this was a happy celebration for God’s people to celebrate His sovereign provision. Again the needy are pointedly to be remembered in this occasion. Israel is commanded here to annually rejoice in acknowledgement that their blessings are from God. For seven days they were to feast and be full of joy because of God’s provision.

As I think of the 75th—from our special weekends to our celebration dinner at the end—I think of it’s parallel to these feasts. May we remember how God has delivered us from our slavery to sin and death. May we remember our own neediness and God’s intervention for us that it may spill over to others. May we rejoice and celebrate the Lord’s provision of our property, the facilities, financial blessing, ministry opportunities and the resources with which to pursue them for 75 years! May this serve to stoke our own faith in our generation. May the Lord be pleased to empower Grace so we continue to see lives, families, our community, and the world transformed by the Gospel of Jesus Christ!

May our college-age community join in with us!