Feeling better about myself...but not really.

I'm almost done with the book "Jesus + Nothing = Everything."  Here are a few more nuggets from the book.

"It's always the gospel of God's free grace that should motivate our right doing; otherwise we're nothing better than Pharisees, making sure we're keeping all the rules, mainly because when we do, we feel better about ourselves - especially when we compare ourselves to those who aren't doing right."  (p. 153)

This little paragraph reminded me of an article/lecture by Ray Ortlund titled "Justification versus Self-justification."  (You can find that article here).  In this article Ortlund writes that the deepest impulse of the fallen human heart is self-justification.  The article is well worth the read and it looks at how the gospel (justification by grace alone through faith alone and in Christ alone) is the only cure for self-justification.

This whole premise (between the two authors) is so clear in my heart.  I may harp on people about the need to make sure that imperatives follow indicatives (commands follow statements of truth), but yet my heart doesn't rest there naturally.  I like to feel like I'm better than other people because I do the right thing.  I know - it's a pretty sick thought when the truth is we are all equally sinners condemned apart from the grace of God in Christ.  I need to realize more in my own life the power of free grace.  I too often can sulk in my failures and that isn't helpful.  It tells me though that my focus is off.  One last long quote from the book.

"One of the reasons we experience so much failure in the Christian life is that we think more about obligations then we do gospel declarations.  We focus on the imperatives, but we pass over the indicatives.  We fail in our doing because we fail to grasp first what Christ has already done.  This leaves us powerless-running on our own steam.  Only when you realize that the gospel has nothing to do with your obedience but with Christ's obedience for you, will you start to obey.  The only Christians who end up getting better are those who realize that if they don't get better, God will love them anyway." (p. 156)

Our latest ministry update

Support Update As I mentioned in our last letter, this month is one of focus for us; and that focus is support.  As of our last email we were in need of $78k to be raised from our $270k budget.  In just over a week's time we have not seen much support come in.  At this point I can only account for $1200 total towards that need.  This leaves us with just under $77k remaining. How does this impact us? Erin and I are facing the ever increasing reality that one or both of us will need to get a part-time job to get our income (for us and the church plant) at its necessary level.  We don't know exactly how this will play out or how it will impact the church plant, but it will surely take time away from what we were called here to do.  However, we are willing and committed to do whatever it takes to see this church move forward. As a refresher, below is the breakdown of what we (and I would like to ask you to join us) are praying for in regards to our support situation.  As I have said, this time is critical for the life of the church and I hope to be freed up from the burden of the finances for the church and our family.  To reach this need we are praying that this month the money we have left to raise will be secured either in special gifts or in monthly pledges.  This is what we are praying towards: 1 Gift              $10,000 2 Gifts              $5,000 5 Gifts              $2,000 12 Gifts            $1000 24 Gifts              $500 Total:                          $54,000 That would leave $24,000 to be raised through monthly giving - which would break down to 20 people giving $100/month for only one year.  We also have additional needs not fully covered in our budget (new computer and sound equipment).  Obviously this breakdown just helps us visualize the need, but we are praying for 10 people to join us in the next 2 weeks or we will have to pursue part-time employment much more seriously. If you are able in any way to help meet this need would you prayerfully consider joining with us in reaching this area with the hope of the Gospel?    If you can, you may give through this link online or you may contact me and I will mail you the necessary information.

Family Update In spite of all that is going on there is no stopping normal life.  We recently were in Cleveland, OH for the wedding of Erin's sister Megan (see family picture above).  We had a great time and are glad to welcome Nick Pacione to the family. In other news, Mother's Day this year was very special as it was not just Mother's Day but Erin's 40th birthday.  We had a great celebration with family and friends. Sticking with Erin; she has a lead on a part-time nursing job.  The interview has yet to be setup, but we are praying for God's will in this opportunity. Prayer Requests Financial support.  That God would provide through His great abundance. Decisions on part-time jobs for Erin and/or Chad.  Wisdom in juggling how that will effect family life and the work of the church. Networking (much of my job right now is simply meeting people in the community and getting to know what makes this area unique) The growth of our young church.  We need to be meeting more and more people and see them join with us. Growing intimacy with the Father and greater reliance on His grace and mercy given in Christ.  That I/we would daily be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus (2 Tim. 2:1) Websites If you want to know more about us, you can keep up in two ways.  First for our family, you can follow us on our blog.  Second, if you want to know more about the church we now have a website!!  You can visit it here (www.livinghopepca.org).

You are receiving this email because you have expressed desire to pray for our ministry an

The Gospel & Tchividjian

I have been reading a book called "Jesus + Nothing = Everything" written by Tullian Tchividjian.  Basically it is a rehearsal of the greatness of the Gospel - that in Christ believers have all they need.  Tchividjian recounts some of his struggles in 2009 when he became senior pastor of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.  It was a rough time for him: accusations, attempts to remove him, personal struggles, and more...and he tells of how the book of Colossians ministered to him deeply.  The depth of Gospel grace and truth woven throughout that letter is astounding and liberating.  It frees us from our idols and our own sinful longing for self-sufficiency.  Paul wrote that letter with great focus on the glory and supremacy of Christ.  Refresh your memory and renew your heart with these words:


15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. 
21 And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, 22 he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, 23 if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister. (Col. 1:15-23  ESV)

Listen to the number of times Paul says "all", or speaks of Christ's supremacy and preeminence.  He has complete dominion, power, and authority.  It should never cease to amaze us that it is this one who died to reconcile rebellious sinners to the Father through the blood of his cross.  He has done it for us...we cannot accomplish anything on our own and we must realize that!  A.W. Pink once wrote, "The great mistake made by people is hoping to discover in themselves that which is to be found in Christ alone." We cannot save ourselves because we are not good.  But Tchividjian applies this further:

"The gospel liberates us to be okay with not being okay.  We know we're not - though we try hard to convince other people we are.  But the gospel tells us, 'Relax, it is finished.'"  Because of the gospel, we have nothing to prove or protect.  We can stop pretending...The gospel grants us the strength to admit we're weak and needy and restless - knowing that Christ's finished work has proven to be all the strength and fulfillment and peace we could ever want, and more." (p. 120)

This has helped me remember that I'm needy, and that I have a great Savior!  I don't have it all together.  I fail as a husband and father, friend and pastor, and I will do so more in the future.  I am restless too often about this church plant and our finances, but God's grace and work cover that.  Not that I don't seek to grow and become more like Christ and trust Him more, but I do so in His power and grace, not in my own strength.  Thank God for the liberating gift of grace in Christ!

A dark night, beautiful provision

Tuesday night we spent dinner time in the basement because of tornado sirens going off for half and hour.  Thankfully the storms were just north of us, but they remind me of the immense power of our Creator.  He controls all of nature...He is not detached.  Yet He continues to uphold His promise that He will never cover the earth with a flood again.  We saw that beautifully after the storm.  As it was on its way out of our area it started raining pretty intensely, but the sun was almost as intense at the same time.

It took a little bit of coaxing to get the kids on the front porch, but the rainbow was beautiful (and if you look closely enough you can see a second rainbow to its left).  The whole evening truly was beautiful.  A little later I went out and saw a cloud formation I had never seen in my life...it was beautiful.  It may be hard to make out, but the clouds almost looked like the bottom of an egg carton.  The white portion was hanging down...it was amazing.  May I never cease to be amazed by the creativity of our Creator!