I enjoyed watching this video. Watching magic tricks always leaves me entertained. To see how it was done, check out this site.

The past couple of days I have been reading Gospel: Recovering the Power that Made Christianity Revolutionary by JD Greear. I have been deeply encouraged and strengthened by it. The second part of Gospel focuses around a prayer that Greear calls “The Gospel Prayer”. Greear has been praying it for years and invites us to pray the same prayer in our lives. I find it excellent and definitely worth sharing.

The Gospel Prayer

“In Christ, there is nothing I can do that would make You love me more, and nothing I have done that makes You love me less.”

“Your presence and approval are all I need for everlasting joy.”

“As You have been to me, so I will be to others.”

“As I pray, I’ll measure Your compassion by the cross and Your power by the resurrection.”

When I am asked about my favorite books I often mention Knowing God by J.I. Packer. I remember reading Packer’s book in college for the first time. I can remember truth after truth blowing my mind, leading me deeper into worship and truth. Today, I frequently revisit it. I have learned and continue to learn much from Packer.

This month, Christian Audio is giving away Packer’s Knowing God for free on their website.

I would certainly recommend picking up this book and spending time in it.

Go to Christian Audio’s website and download the book here.

There is still time to enter to win Night of the Living Dead Christian by Matt Mikalatos.

All you need to do is enter the drawing. The winner will be contacted by email December 18, 2011.

Check out my review of the book here.

This past summer I spent two weeks in Brasil with a team of students who were passionate about the gospel being proclaimed. It has been almost half a year since that trip. As I reflect on the trip, I am reminded of God’s goodness. I am reminded of the Gospel’s power to penetrate deep darkness and bring everlasting light. I am reminded of the deep brokenness of this world. But I am reminded more that Christ is deeper still. Yes, Christ is deeper than our deepest darkest moments. Christ is deeper than any sin we are drowning in. Christ is deeper, yes Christ is deeper.

Below is a devotional that was used on the trip. It centered around “Beautiful Feet” from Romans 10:15. I pray that you would be encouraged by the following.

13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”14 How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? 15 And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” 16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” 17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. – Romans 10:13-17 

The theme verse for this trip is verse 15. How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news! Rarely do we look at feet and delight in them. Rarely do we look at feet and call them beautiful. Think on this. In first century, people walked barefoot or in sandals day after day. Feet were extremely dirty as dust and sand covered their feet. Naturally, their feet had to be disgusting. Is this really what Paul is saying? What is it that makes them beautiful? The beauty of the feet lies in the message that it is carrying. The Gospel message is beautiful. There is an importance and necessity of messengers to bring the Gospel message. Paul quotes Isaiah 52:7 which states “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.” Thus the image is not one of looking at the feet but rather seeing a messenger deliver good news. Consider this. You are in the Mountains. No cell service. The roads are a couple miles off. The long hike in now seems like a mistake. Someone in your family is desperately sick. You are searching for a cure but you know your family cannot leave the area. A family member runs into a town and speaks to the doctor while you wait for an answer. Unsure if there is a cure or not you wait patiently. All of a sudden you see two men running towards you with hope and joy. How beautiful the sight. The very feet that are churning are bearing good news. Your family member will be healed. This is what Paul is saying. The feet that carry the Gospel are beautiful because of the message it proclaims. It has the power to save. It has the power to make wicked men righteous. It has the power to transform. The Gospel is powerful. Don’t forget that. You are divinely appointed by God on this trip to bring the good news. Your feet are beautiful because of the message you proclaim. Be sure to proclaim it this trip!

Christ is deeper still. Yes, Christ is deeper still. How beautiful are the feet who bring the Gospel message. Whether we are in America, Brasil, Europe, Asia, Africa, or anywhere else, Christ is deeper still. May we be messengers to those who are drowning in the depths of sin and despair and proclaim to them a Christ who is deeper, a Christ is who is powerful enough to save.

I love when Christmas season comes around. One of my favorite things about the season is the music that comes with it. Let’s be honest, Christmas music is awesome! I mean seriously we have started listening to it before Thanksgiving. Halloween better watch out at this pace. There is something that is just great about Christmas music. I always enjoy hearing what people are listening to. So here we go. I’ll post some of my favorites and you can leave a comment with some of your favorites. (If anyone leaves a little drummer boy song or video, you clearly don’t understand good music. Go to a different blog! Kidding, well kinda)

Canaries in the Coal Mine – Scarf Weather

I just found out about this band. Chase and Jordan are based out of Austin, Tx. The album is a 5-track EP. I am excited to see what their next album will be.

Sufjan Stevens: Songs for Christmas

I don’t think you can ever go wrong with Sufjan Stevens during Christmas. Just saying. This is a classic.

Sleeping at Last – Christmas Collection

Sleeping at Last is unlike any other band I have listened to. Their Christmas stuff is no exception. Take a listen. You will enjoy it!

The best part is they have their album available for free on Noisetrade.

Download it here.

Folk Angel and Friends – Comfort and Joy


This is Folk Angel’s third release. This time however they changed it up a bit. They added friends to the album. Features include Shane and Shane, Tedashii, Robbie Seay, Jeff and Jourdan Johnson, and more.

I really enjoy their stuff. Pick it up and take a listen.

If you really want to check these albums out and don’t have the money to buy them, then go to Spotify. All of these albums are available on there. Enjoy. Let me know what you are listening to!

It has been a while now since I have written on my blog. I just wanted to update that I have some exciting things planned out. I originally started this blog as a place to just write life experiences. I found it difficult to always write about a particular self-experience without elevating myself or thinking too highly of the experiences. I then started to write book reviews, post links to videos, and present quotes from books that I have read while still writing about life. I realized that the blog started to become unorganized. I didn’t set out to write anything with consistency.

These past couple of weeks, I have sat down and thought through what I want my blog to look like going forward. I have decided to still write on life experiences when they arise. I also will still be reviewing books. I will review books that catch my eye. Most of these books will be books that draw me deeper. They will be books that point me to Christ and help me to treasure and savor Him. Others will be books that I think the church should avoid or read with caution. There will also be book giveaways from time to time. I will also frequently post quotes to the blog that I find stir my affections for Christ and the gospel.

Lastly, I have been working on some series to start. This is the element of the blog that has really been missing. I want to write on relevant topics that stir our affections for Christ.

My aim in all of this is to glorify God. I want my blog to be a place that is gospel-centered and Christ-exalting. I can’t wait to launch some of this new stuff.

If you have any ideas or want me to write on a specific topic, feel free to leave me a comment. I would love to hear your feedback.

Matt.

This past Sunday, in my sermon, I told a story concerning the apostle John. It is a beautiful story that gives us deeper insight to the life of John. I thought I would share it on here as well. My prayer is that you would be encouraged by the following. It is taken from Ecclesiastical History by Eusebius.

“Listen to a story that is no fiction, but a real history, handed down and carefully preserved, respecting the apostle John. For after the tyrant was dead, coming from the isle of Patmos to Ephesus, he went also, when called, to the neighboring regions of the Gentiles; in some to appoint bishops, in some to institute entire new churches, in others to appoint to the ministry some one of those that were pointed out by the Holy Ghost. When he came, therefore, to one of those cities, at no great distance, of which some also give the name, and had in other respects consoled his brethren, he at last turned towards the bishop ordained (appointed), and seeing a youth of fine stature, graceful countenance, and ardent mind, he said, ‘Him I commend to you with all earnestness, in the presence of the church and of Christ.’ The bishop having taken him and promised all, he repeated and testified the same thing, and then returned to Ephesus. The presbyter taking the youth home educated, restrained, and cherished him, and at length baptized him. After this he relaxed exercising his former care and vigilance, as if he had now committed him to a perfect safeguard in the seal of the Lord. But certain idle, dissolute fellows, familiar with every kind of wickedness, unhappily attach themselves to him, thus prematurely freed from restraint. At first they lead him on by expensive entertainments. Then going out at night to plunder, they take him with them. Next, they encourage him to something greater, and gradually becoming accustomed to their ways in his enterprising spirit, like an unbridled and powerful steed that has struck out of the right way, biting the curb, he rushed with so much the greater impetuosity towards the precipice. At length renouncing the salvation of God, he contemplated no trifling offense, but having committed some great crime, since he was now once ruined, he expected to suffer equally with the rest. Taking, therefore, these same associates, and forming them into a band of robbers, he became their captain, surpassing them all in violence, blood, and cruelty. Time elapsed, and on a certain occasion they send for John. The apostle, after appointing those other matters for which he came, said, ‘Come, bishop, return me my deposit, which I and Christ committed to thee, in the presence of the church over which thou dost preside,’ The bishop at first, indeed, was confounded, thinking that he was insidiously charged for money which he had not received; and yet he could neither give credit respecting that which he had not, nor yet disbelieve John. But when he said, ‘I demand the young man, and the soul of a brother,’ the old man, groaning heavily and also weeping, said, ‘He is dead,’ ‘How, and what death?’ ‘He is dead to God,’ said he. ‘He has turned out wicked and abandoned, and at last a robber; and now, instead of the church, he has beset the mountain with a band like himself.’ The apostle, on hearing this tore his garment, and beating his head with great lamentation, said, ‘I left a fine keeper of a brother’s soul! But let a horse now be got ready, and someone to guide me on my way.’ He rode as he was, away from the church, and coming to the country, was taken prisoner by the outguard of the banditti. He neither attempted, however, to flee, nor refused to be taken; but cried out, ‘For this very purpose am I come; conduct me to your captain.’ He, in the meantime, stood waiting, armed as he was. But as he recognized John advancing towards him, overcome with shame he turned about to flee. The apostle, however, pursued him with all his might, forgetful of his age, and crying out, ‘Why dost thou fly, my son, from me, thy father; thy defenseless, aged father? Have compassion on me, my son; fear not. Thou still hast hope of life. I will intercede with Christ for thee, as Christ for us. I will give my life for thine. Stay; believe Christ hath sent me.’ Hearing this, he at first stopped with downcast looks. Then he threw away his arms; then trembling, lamented bitterly, and embracing the old man as he came up, attempted to plead for himself with his lamentations, as much as he was able; as if baptized a second time with his own tears, and only concealing his right hand. But the apostle pledging himself, and solemnly assuring him, that he had found pardon for him in his prayers at the hands of Christ, praying, on his bended knees, and kissing his right hand as cleansed from all iniquity, conducted him back again to the church. Then supplicating with frequent prayers contending with constant fastings, and softening down his mind with various consolatory declarations, he did not leave him as it is said, until he had restored him to the church. Affording a powerful example of true repentance, and a great evidence of a regeneration, a trophy of visible resurrection.” – Eusebius

In my last post, I focused on a slave girl from II Kings 5. It is truly a story of grace and forgiveness. We looked at the first five verses of the story. Feel free to check it out. We continue the story in verse six where we now focus on Naaman.

 Naaman was commander of the Syrian army. He was well respected with the king and people. He was a man in high honor. Yet their was one flaw with Naaman. He was a leper. Despite all his success in the army, he was wasting away. It was common knowledge that leprosy didn’t end well for the people who had it. Naaman needed a miracle. God would provide this miracle starting with a young Israelite girl, Naaman’s slave. The girl told Naaman’s wife that there was a prophet in Israel who could heal Naaman. Naaman longing to be healed, jumped at the opportunity. He talked to his king and received a letter for the king of Israel. He then journeyed to Israel, to the king, to find healing. He took with him tons of gifts.

5And the king of Syria said, “Go now, and I will send a letter to the king of Israel.” So he went, taking with him ten talents of silver, six thousand shekels of gold, and ten changes of clothing. 6And he brought the letter to the king of Israel, which read, “When this letter reaches you, know that I have sent to you Naaman my servant, that you may cure him of his leprosy.” 7And when the king of Israel read the letter, he tore his clothes and said, “Am I God, to kill and to make alive, that this man sends word to me to cure a man of his leprosy? Only consider, and see how he is seeking a quarrel with me.” 

 After arriving to the king, Naaman didn’t find healing. Rather, the king of Israel seemed to be displeased with Naaman. He thought it was a trick. He thought Naaman was trying to quarrel with Israel. After all, he was a high ranking commander. The truth is Naaman didn’t pay much attention to the details of what the little girl said. She told him their was a prophet in Israel who could heal him. Instead he went to the king supposing that he could heal him. The king tears his clothes in reaction. However Elisha hears about this and sends for Naaman. Naaman packs up his gifts and heads to Elisha.

8But when Elisha the man of God heard that the king of Israel had torn his clothes, he sent to the king, saying, “Why have you torn your clothes? Let him come now to me, that he may know that there is a prophet in Israel.” 9So Naaman came with his horses and chariots and stood at the door of Elisha’s house. 10And Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, “Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored, and you shall be clean.” 11But Naaman was angry and went away, saying, “Behold, I thought that he would surely come out to me and stand and call upon the name of the LORD his God, and wave his hand over the place and cure the leper. 12Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Could I not wash in them and be clean?” So he turned and went away in a rage. 

 Naaman has finally arrived at Elisha’s house. He is greeted by Naaman’s servants and told to wash in the Jordan seven times, and his flesh would be restored and he would be clean. The prescription for a cure is given. Yet Naaman gets angry. What is happening here? Why was Naaman angry? Remember that Naaman was a man with honor and valor. He was well respected. He was a man of pride. He went to Elisha to see Elisha, not his servants! It would be safe to say that Naaman was never treated this way in Syria. So aside from whatever the servants just spoke, Naaman could care less. He was already upset. His pride had been hurt. He wanted Elisha to come to him in person and call down for Elisha’s God to heal him. He wanted some visible miracle. He didn’t get that. He got servants instead. He was not pleased with the message the servants brought either. A ritual cleansing? Washing in a river? Really? Naaman responds by asking if the rivers of Israel were better than that of Syria. You can sense the sarcasm in his voice as he responds. Naaman is angry and decides to go away rather than be treated with “disrespect”.

 See, God knew that Naaman came to be healed of leprosy. He knew that Naaman’s greatest desire at that moment was to be rid of the disease that he had tried so hard to cure. He knew Naaman wanted to be healed. But God always knew that cleansing his leprosy was not Naaman’s greatest need. It may have been Naaman’s greatest desire but not his greatest need. Naaman’s greatest need was a heart change. God saw the heart of Naaman. He saw a man with a leprous heart. Naaman’s heart was a heart full of pride. Naaman went to Elisha to be healed of his leprosy. Little did he know that God was going to give him so much more.

13But his servants came near and said to him, “My father, it is a great word the prophet has spoken to you; will you not do it? Has he actually said to you, ‘Wash, and be clean’?” 14So he went down and dipped himself seven times in the Jordan, according to the word of the man of God, and his flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean. 

 I love Naaman’s servants response. They beg with him. They tell him it is a great word. They believe what Elisha has said to them. But Naaman heard a ritual cleansing. He heard dip seven times in a river. What he didn’t seem to hear was that God would restore his flesh. His servants point this out for us. They say “Did Elisha only say wash and be clean; did he only prescribe you a ritual? No, he said so much more.” After hearing his servants, Naaman decides to go to the river. He dips seven times and is restored like the flesh of a little child. We often miss what is happening here. But in the Hebrew text there is a word play. The author of II Kings is pointing us back to the little girl and her faith. What an awesome thing. Naaman was healed. He no longer has leprosy. But did his heart change? You may be asking how I even know this is a story about the heart. Let’s continue to read further.

15Then he returned to the man of God, he and all his company, and he came and stood before him. And he said, “Behold, I know that there is no God in all the earth but in Israel; so accept now a present from your servant.” 16But he said, “As the LORD lives, before whom I stand, I will receive none.” And he urged him to take it, but he refused. 17Then Naaman said, “If not, please let there be given to your servant two mules’ load of earth, for from now on your servant will not offer burnt offering or sacrifice to any god but the LORD. 18In this matter may the LORD pardon your servant: when my master goes into the house of Rimmon to worship there, leaning on my arm, and I bow myself in the house of Rimmon, when I bow myself in the house of Rimmon, the LORD pardon your servant in this matter.” 

Naaman knew that it was the God of Israel who had healed him. Yet according to his culture you had to pay for grace. He still didn’t understand the radical grace he just received. He had brought tons of gifts. He thought he needed to pay someone. He tries to pay Elisha. However, Elisha knew that it was God who healed Naaman. Elisha needed to teach Naaman that grace is free. He can’t pay for grace. So Elisha continues to tell Naaman no. Instead he sends Naaman back to Syria with all his gifts. In a short amount of time, Naaman experienced a life and heart change. He was different. And yet you may still be asking for confirmation on the whole heart thing. Here is how I know this story is about so much more than just a cleansing of leprosy.

19He said to him, “Go in peace.” But when Naaman had gone from him a short distance, 20 Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, “See, my master has spared this Naaman the Syrian, in not accepting from his hand what he brought. As the LORD lives, I will run after him and get something from him.” 21So Gehazi followed Naaman. And when Naaman saw someone running after him, he got down from the chariot to meet him and said, “Is all well?” 22And he said, “All is well. My master has sent me to say, ‘There have just now come to me from the hill country of Ephraim two young men of the sons of the prophets. Please give them a talent of silver and two changes of clothing.’” 23And Naaman said, “Be pleased to accept two talents.” And he urged him and tied up two talents of silver in two bags, with two changes of clothing, and laid them on two of his servants. And they carried them before Gehazi. 24And when he came to the hill, he took them from their hand and put them in the house, and he sent the men away, and they departed. 25He went in and stood before his master, and Elisha said to him, “Where have you been, Gehazi?” And he said, “Your servant went nowhere.” 26But he said to him, “Did not my heart go when the man turned from his chariot to meet you? Was it a time to accept money and garments, olive orchards and vineyards, sheep and oxen, male servants and female servants? 27Therefore the leprosy of Naaman shall cling to you and to your descendants forever.” So he went out from his presence a leper, like snow. 

Elisha’s servant, Gehazi, saw Elisha turn down Naaman’s gifts. He couldn’t believe it. Instead of rejoicing in grace, Gehazi’s heart is displayed for us. Why didn’t the author just end with the healing of Naaman? Why did he tell us about this story? The author wanted to make sure we knew that this is a story about heart change and not just a physical healing. In Gehazi we see a heart full of greed. He chases after Naaman and lies to him. He says that Elisha does want some gifts after all. Naaman gives some gifts to Gehazi. As Gehazi comes back home, Elisha asks him where he went. Gehazi lies to him. Elisha is not fooled. He saw right through Gehazi’s lies. He saw the heart full of greed. As a result of his heart, Naaman’s leprosy is transferred to Gehazi. What a stunning change of events.

 This is how I know that the story of Naaman is about a heart change. Naaman went to Elisha to be healed physically. God gave him so much more. And years later God would send Jesus into the world so that this same heart change would be possible for everyone. He would be the substitute for our sins. He would bore our wrath so that we could have His righteousness. We can be confident that God will see and meet our greatest need when we go to him. We may go to him with our greatest desires but he will always see our greatest needs. Let us approach the throne of grace boldly. We have a merciful high priest who is interceding on our behalf. Like, Naaman, God can change our heart. He can remove our leprosy of pride and sin. This is a story of Amazing Grace! I pray that Grace is never less than amazing in our lives.

2 Kings 5 truly is a story of remarkable grace. We are introduced to a man named Naaman. Naaman is a commander of the Syrian Army. He is a well respected man and in high favor with the King of Syria. But Naaman has one flaw. Naaman was a leper. Leprosy was deadly and certainly incurable by man. This man was in desperate need of a miracle. Little did Naaman know that God was going to give him a miracle beginning with a little girl from Israel who was made his slave.

[5:1] Naaman, commander of the army of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master and in high favor, because by him the LORD had given victory to Syria. He was a mighty man of valor, but he was a leper. [2] Now the Syrians on one of their raids had carried off a little girl from the land of Israel, and she worked in the service of Naaman’s wife. [3] She said to her mistress, “Would that my lord were with the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy.” [4] So Naaman went in and told his lord, “Thus and so spoke the girl from the land of Israel.” [5] And the king of Syria said, “Go now, and I will send a letter to the king of Israel.” So he went, taking with him ten talents of silver, six thousand shekels of gold, and ten changes of clothing.  

In one of the Syrian’s raids, a little girl from Israel was captured and turned slave. This very child, was given to Naaman’s wife to serve her. Imagine for a moment if you are this child. You have been captured by an army who just rampaged and destroyed your city. There is a good chance they killed your family and friends. Not only that but they have now turned you into their servants. To make it worse, the head of the house has leprosy. This Israelite girl knows that lepers shouldn’t be in society. Everyone in Israel knows that they are unclean. And yet she is living in the midst of a leper. So lets add it up. She has lost her family, friends, and home. She has been brought into a new culture and forced to live as a slave. She lives with a leper who commanded the army that destroyed everything she knew; well destroyed everything she knew except her God.

This little girl had every right to seek retribution for what had happened right? Yet that’s not her response. Her response baffles me. Her response makes me marvel at the grace of God. As she is serving Naaman’s wife, she puts on display forgiveness and faith. She desires that Naaman would be cured of leprosy. She knows that her God is the true God, the God who can heal him. So what does she do? She tells Naaman’s wife that he can be healed. She had forgiven Namaan for what he had done. But she didn’t just forgive. She desired to help Naaman. She wanted him to be healed. She wanted him to meet the true living God. This little girl showed immense forgiveness and faith and sure enough Naaman would meet the God of Israel.

Who are you being a little child too? We can only blame our circumstances so long before we need to forgive. This little girl forgave despite her circumstances. Are we pointing people to the one true God who’s grace really is enough? The reason we can do this is Jesus. Jesus forgave us on the cross. When we need help forgiving, let us go to the cross and sit there observing at the depths of how Jesus forgave us.

Stay tuned for Part 2.