24/6 {book review}

24/6 by Matthew Sleeth, MD

 

 

Sleeth's book is good food for thought, but not much more in my opinion. It's subtitle, A prescription for a healthier, happier life, should have been a clue that it was not going to be up my alley. He does include historical and biblical significance for the Sabbath, which is worth the read. He begins each chapter with a medical illustration--something I suppose I should have expected from someone bearing the initials "M.D." at the end of his name, yet as someone not medically-inclined in any way, shape, or form, I did not appreciate them. The book neither convicted me of any lack of personally keeping the Sabbath nor convinced me of his application of it, either. 

There is legitimacy to the claim that not being on the go (especially career-related) 24/7 can lead to a healthier life. Also that the idea that taking time to enjoy relationships and perhaps a hobby or two brings happiness. Sleeth certainly did not side-step the spiritual aspect. And yet, not so large a mention as to merit placement in the subtitle. And what really is the Sabbath without the One who is Lord over it?

{Written for inclusion in Tyndale's Summer Reading program!}
 

The Dying of Self

 

 

 

"Let us remember that when we talk of the rending of the veil [i.e. Self] we are speaking in a figure, and the thought of it is poetical, almost pleasant, but in actuality there is nothing pleasant about it. In human experience that veil is made of living spiritual tissue; it is composed of the sentient, quivering stuff of which our whole beings consist, and to touch it is to touch us where we feel pain. To tear it away is to injure us, to hurt us and make us bleed. To say otherwise is to make the cross no cross and death no death at all. It is never fun to die. To rip through the dear and tender stuff of which life is made can never be anything but deeply painful. Yet that is what the cross did to Jesus and it is what the cross would do to every man to set him free."

 

{Tozer, from

The Pursuit of God}

 

 

He who Judges Justly

 

 

For to this you have been called,

because Christ also suffered for you,

leaving you an example,

so that you might follow in His steps. 
He committed no sin,

neither was deceit found in His mouth. 
When He was reviled,

He did not revile in return;

when He suffered, He did not threaten,

but continued entrusting Himself

to Him who

judges justly. 

 

{I Peter 2:21-23}

Leaning on God's Mercy

"When wanting to

cling to wrongs done against me,

I must die."

 

God is a God of justice. Sin is and will be punished. One day every person will stand before an almighty, holy God and give account of himself.

In the meantime, the world is rarely fair--quite honestly, justice is not always served on earth. However, we need to remember that

"no creature is hidden from His sight,

but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of Him

to whom we must give account"

{Hebrews 4:13}

and also

"for this light momentary affliction is

preparing for us an eternal weight of glory

beyond all comparison."

{II Corinthians 4:17} 

God is sovereign and wise, and He is working all things for His glory and for our good (see Romans 8:28). 

Have you ever prayed for justice in a personal situation? Who would have benefitted most--you or the other person? It's come up a few times lately in my ladies' Sunday school class, how quickly we pray for mercy for ourselves but justice to others. 

It's hard to stand back and watch people seemingly getting away with wrong. It's hard to be in pain. But we must die to the fleshly reactions--anger, bitterness, resentment, unforgiveness--and rather put on Spirit-controlled reactions--forgiveness, submission to God's will, trust, love.

I have thought before "but if I let go, then they'll get away with it!" How foolish is that. As if I hated sin more than God does. And praise God He also has more mercy than I do!

Follow Me {book review}

FOLLOW ME: A call to die. A call to live.
By David Platt

 

Platt again makes a challenge to nominal Christian living (check out his book Radical). The whole of Christianity is not “asking Jesus into your heart”—but rather in following Christ. Believing the gospel is not the end, or merely the means to an end, or just an escape from hell. Believing the gospel is a start to a brand new life, one in which Jesus calls to fearful and stubborn hearts: “Follow me.” Not always a fan of modern Christian living books, David Platt has not failed to challenge my thinking yet.

Mainstream American Christianity must wake up and realize what is at stake. A lot of false conversions, because we’re soft on sin. A lot of wasted opportunities, because we’re too busy pursuing the “American dream.” A lack of life abundantly, because we’re too busy even with good things to truly fellowship with Jesus. A lot of baby Christians, because we’re too busy or fearful or selfish to invest in others in discipleship. Platt calls us to see the mission: Jesus transforms us, and even as He works in us, we invest in others. This cycle must be repeated until the trumpet calls!

{Written for inclusion in Tyndale's Summer Reading program!}

Two Wonders of the Cross

 

 

 

"Upon that cross of Jesus my eyes at times can see

The very dying form of One who suffered there for me;

And from my smitten heart with tears

Two wonders I confess

The wonders of

His glorious love,

and my unworthiness."

 

--Elizabeth Clephane--

(from the CD By Faith)

Hardships

On one hand, I hesitate to say I've been shattered by hardships. The hardships I've known are certainly not the worst life can hold.

But yes, I've known hardships.

I've seen plans and ideals and dreams shatter.

I've despised them.

But I'm learning not to--for whose daughter would I be if I did not experience such things? {See Hebrews 12:7-11}

As the Gospel Primer says later, "on the other side of each layer of dying lie experiences of a life with God that are far richer, far higher, and far more intimate than anything I would have otherwise known" (page 42).

Amen and amen to that. I would indeed rather have Jesus!

May I encourage you today to keep on?

For the moment all discipline

seems painful rather than pleasant,

but later it yields the peaceful fruit

of righteousness to those who have

been trained by it.

 

{Hebrews 12:11}