A Dash of Salt

Following Christ in Tough Economic Times

"It's the stupid economy, stupid!"  What's a follower of Jesus to do when the economy is in shambles?  Here are some links that have helped me make some sense of the current situation...

Jim Martin got the ball rolling for me with this most important question.

Ira Glass and his crew at Public Radio's "This American Life" produced two terrific hour-long programs that discussed the sub-prime mortgage crisis and the so-called $700 billion bailout for the banking industry, which you can listen to or read the transcripts:

• The Giant Pool of Money (Program 355)

• Another Frightening Show on the Economy (Program 365)

Dr. Al Mohler offers a balanced Christian perspective on the economy.

Matt Perman calls us to pray for the economy.

Justin Taylor interviews David Kotter, who earned an MBA, taught economics, and worked as a finance manager for Ford Motor Company on what to think about the banking crisis.

This is what I said to my church family about "Sleeping Well in Anxious Times."

You're Gonna Hafta Serve Somebody

I've been thinking about Bob Dylan's song "Serve Somebody" this week as I studied Romans 6:15-23.

Your Preacher Needs Prayer

This preacher sure needs prayer!  Here are some ideas of how you can pray for me and other preachers and teachers of the Scriptures, from Justin Childers.  The most valuable thing you could give a pastor is your prayers.  So in advance I say, "Thank You!" (HT: Justin Taylor)

How to Listen to a Sermon

"Therefore, consider carefully how you listen." (Luke 8:18)  Tim Challies posts George Whitefield's (1714-1770) timeless advice on "How to Listen to a Sermon."  Practical counsel for listeners and preachers.  (HT: Joe Carter)

The Outdoor Bible

Joe Carter over at Evangelical Outpost has written a 60-second review of the new Outdoor Bible which, its publisher claims, is designed to withstand rain, snow, and mud.  Ideal for backpackers, hunters, boaters, and anyone else who likes all-weather adventures outside, the Outdoor Bible is printed on plastic, water-resistant paper using what the publisher calls "Dry-Text technology," and it folds up like a map.  It comes only in the New American Standard version of the New Testament and costs $34.95, which seems a little expensive to me.  Bardin and Marsee Publishing, maker of the Outdoor Bible, is also coming out this month with a KJV New Testament with Psalms and Proverbs in what they call a "DuraBook" format.  From the publisher...

THE OUTDOOR BIBLE® is printed on 100% plastic material, which makes it a fully waterproof Bible. It can be rained on, snowed on, or fully submerged in a body of water – with no damage.

THE OUTDOOR BIBLE® is made to withstand the rigors of the outdoors – whether used on a backcountry trail, a boating trip, or at a park with your family – THE OUTDOOR BIBLE® will endure your chosen adventure.

THE OUTDOOR BIBLE® will maintain its form during everyday handling and is resistant to typical outdoor wear and tear.

I can see the benefits of having a waterproof Bible.  During hunting season I carry an inexpensive pocket-sized paperback New Testament with some 3x5 cards and a pen, and as I sit and wait for deer to come by, I read.  It's also a good time to do scripture memory work. If I get any insights or ideas as I read and think, I write them down.  My trusty NIV New Testament with Psalms and Proverbs is tattered, dog-eared, wrinkled, and stained, but it has been with me in all kinds of weather situations. 

A thermos of coffee, a Snickers bar and a sandwich, and a Bible in the woods...it can be a blessed time.

Forgiven?

Would you confess your sins online?  Millions of people are doing just that according to this post from the San Antonio Express-News online edition.  The nagging question is, does confessing your sins mean you have been forgiven?  How does one know that he or she has been forgiven?

Read Luke 5:17-26 and think about the relationship between faith and forgiveness.  Consider these questions: Who is Jesus claiming to be by forgiving the man’s sins?  Why do you think Jesus focused on the paralyzed man's sins?  Who do you identify with in this story?...the crowd?...the paralyzed man?...the friends who carried his stretcher?...the Pharisees?  Why?

High-Sodium Christians Needed

Doctors caution us about eating too much salt.  But what are the benefits of salt?  Read carefully Jesus' warning in Luke 14:34-35 several times.  He's emphasizing that salt is good and useful.  Besides adding flavor to our food, what else is salt good for? 

Scholars have debated how salt can or cannot lose its saltiness.  It seems best to understand Jesus as referring to the common salt in ancient Palestine that was derived from the evaporation of the Dead Sea.  It had impurities such as carnellite and gypsum mixed in with it, and once the salt dissolved out, the remainder tasted bitter.  What good is salt that has lost its saltiness?  What do people do with it?  Compare Matthew 5:13. 

Consider this: Where do Christians get their saltiness?  What happens if the followers of Jesus are half-hearted in their commitment to Him?  How would that impact their world?  Sometimes Christians aren't very salty; they create little thirst for Jesus and his gospel.  In fact, by their hypocrisy and lack of love, they might be really good at raising the blood pressure of watching unbelievers, but not at arrousing their interest in Jesus.  Such half-hearted Christians don't attract or encourage unsaved people to surrender to Jesus.  To every one of his would-be followers Jesus says, "If you hear Me, pay attention to what I say!"

The Blessings of Saying "Bye-Bye"

One more small but important thought about counting the cost of following Jesus...

Just as the weaker king had to surrender to the stronger king, Jesus calls us to surrender to Him in Luke 14:31-33.  Notice what He says in v. 33.  What do you and I have to give up to Jesus?  The words “give up” in the original convey the idea of “saying good-bye to” or "renounce an interest in."  The Jewish historian Josephus used the word to describe Queen Esther when she fasted and "renounced her interest in food" so she could pray.  Who or what do you need to say good-bye to in your life to follow Jesus wholeheartedly?  What hinders you from full commitment to Him?  How can you renounce your interest in it?

Jesus says we must renounce our interest in everything that belongs to us so that nothing will distract us from following Him.

Unconditional Surrender?

Jesus gives another illustration of counting the cost of following Him in Luke 14:31-32.  Think about what He says in that passage: What makes the first king pause before attacking the other king?  When might it be proper for an army of 10,000 soldiers to attack an army of 20,000?  What does the first king with the smaller army do in Jesus' story?  Why?

Consider this illustration and apply it your own relationship with Jesus Christ.  He’s the King with the superior force, and you and I have no means to oppose Him and be victorious.  "Every knee will bow to Him and every mouth confess that Jesus is Lord."  What is the wisest course of action we can take in such a situation?  What are God’s “terms of peace?”  Will you agree to them?

Can there be any conditions to unconditional surrender?

Making Sure to Finish Well

Have you ever been part of a construction project?  When I was growing up, my parents bought a lot in a subdivision and built a house on it.  As a nine-year-old, I found it exciting to watch our new home grow that Spring and Summer in 1968.  What I didn't realize was all the money, time, and planning that my folks and the contractor put into designing and building of our house on Ruxton Road. 

Following Jesus is like a life-long construction project.  Take time today in your Bible reading and concentrate on Luke 14:28-30.  According to Jesus, why is it important to assess the cost of building before starting construction?  What might happen if the builder runs out of money and has to cease construction?  How does this example apply to following Jesus?  Which do you think is more important: a good beginning or a good ending?  Why is it important to finish well in Christ’s eyes?  What does finishing well in the eyes of Christ look like?

I find it tempting to boast of a "great-new-thing" I'm starting, but the truth is, my follow-through often falls short.  Sadly, I can remember a long list of personal good-starts that didn't end with good-finishes.  May each of us count the cost and stick with the Plan (God's Word) and finish well the building project of our lives and ministries.  Then, when our final inspection takes place, we will hear Jesus say, "Well done!"