My treatments are progressing, and I am starting to feel the cumulative effect of them. I feel a bit more tired and a bit more drugged from the chemo. However, there have been great moments this past week in which I have been able to work and spend time with my family.
We are looking forward to making an appearance at Trunk of Treats at our church in an unexpected way. Our kids are stoked and more excited than any year because we plan on having a trunk. We hope to see you there!
Prayer Requests and Praises:
I saw my doctor on Monday after my infusion treatment, and he is encouraged about the reduction in my lymphoma symptoms. For example, months ago, I would wake up 5-6 times per night drenched in sweat (a classic sign of lymphoma). I am now experiencing 1-2 night sweats per week.
The biggest prayer request is for this progress to continue. We won’t know how the treatment is doing until late November, but pray the cancer is completely gone before my next PET scan. That would be miraculous! The Lord can do this!
What I am Learning:
There have been numerous books which have fed my soul since my diagnosis. Perhaps the first one I should mention is the helpful devotional by Jerry Bridges called 31 Days Toward Trusting God.This small book has provided rocks for me to step across in the midst of the flood of suffering. If you have never read it, pick up a copy and let it minister to your soul.
One of the main themes of Bridge’s devotional is the sovereignty of God regardless of the situation. God really is in control. He has always been and will always be. His loving rule of the world doesn’t stop when tragedy strikes. Listen to how the Bible describes God’s reign:
Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases. (Psalm 115:3)
For the Lord will not cast off forever, but, though he cause grief, he will have compassion according to the abundance of his steadfast love; for he does not afflict from his heart or grieve the children of men. (Lamentations 3:31–33)
Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them. (Psalm 139:16)
God has numbered our days, and this is good. I can trust God’s care over my life because he has given up his only Son to die in my place. There is not a single cancer cell that is beyond his wisdom, might, and power. I am going to die exactly when God wants me to die – and not a moment sooner. While this truth might be hard to digest, it produces peace and good fruit.
What Has Been Encouraging:
In his helpful little booklet called Don’t Waste Your Cancer, John Piper writes, “You will waste your cancer if you refuse to think about death.” This advice is wise. After all, no matter what happens, we are all going to have to cross the river of death unless Jesus returns. Bob Russell made a similar point in a recent sermon on anxiety. Facing the worst-case scenario can be helpful when we know that God is ultimately in control. It is not enjoyable to look at death in the eyes, but it is amazing to know that we follow in the footsteps of the risen Christ who defeated death.
Below are some powerful quotes to help us meet death whenever it should come. I found these quotes from this set of bookmarks in honor of Reformation Day (the same day as Halloween!).
“Death only frightens those who have their mind exclusively in this world.” -John Calvin, 1509-1564
“Resolved never to do anything which I should be afraid to do if it were the last hour of my life.” -Jonathan Edwards, 1703-1758
“Live in Christ, die in Christ, and the flesh need not fear death.” -John Knox, C. 1514-1572
“I am more afraid of my own heart than of the pope and all his cardinals.” -Martin Luther, 1483-1546
“Let them fear death who do not fear sin.” -Thomas Watson, 1620-1686
“It is not a loss to die. It is a lasting perpetual gain” -Charles Spurgeon, 1834-1892
I’ve been told that chemo can have a “cumulative effect.” I’m not sure if that is what I’m experiencing this week, but my body has felt more “chemo crummy” than usual. It is hard to describe, but essentially my body feels “weary and heavy laden” at times.
I will be getting another PET scan at the end of November which is my half-way point. This will give concrete results that show whether or not the chemo is effectively killing the cancer. They expect either a partial response or a complete response.
Prayer Requests and Praises
Please pray that when I get my PET scan in November the cancer will be completely gone. I did not realize this was a possibility until today. This is the ideal scenario.
My liver enzymes are elevated, and they are monitoring them. If they continue to increase, it could require a reduction in my level of chemo. Pray my liver continues to process the chemo without more difficulty.
What I am Learning:
The Lord is reminding me how to pray more biblically. I have been continually meditating on the Songs of Ascent, and it is starting to shape my prayers. My goal is to memorize all the Songs (Psalms chapter 120-134) by the end of my treatments. Lord willing, my treatments will conclude by March 1st. I would love for someone to memorize them with me! Let me know if you are up for the challenge.
One way the Lord is teaching me to pray is by “reasoning” with God. There are numerous times in which David offers to God reasons why God should act on his behalf. He had intense humble boldness. I have selected these three verses as examples from the helpful book Psalms for Trials by Lindsey Tollefson.
Turn, O LORD, deliver my life; save me for the sake of your steadfast love. For in death there is no remembrance of you; in Sheol who will give you praise? (Psalm 6:4–5)
Lord, where is your steadfast love of old, which by your faithfulness you swore to David? Remember, O Lord, how your servants are mocked, and how I bear in my heart the insults of all the many nations, with which your enemies mock, O LORD, with which they mock the footsteps of your anointed. (Psalm 89:49–51)
For your name’s sake, O LORD, preserve my life! In your righteousness bring my soul out of trouble! (Psalm 143:11)
A prayer of reasoning could sound like this: “God, you are the Lord! You can demonstrate your power in a mighty way. It would be a great testimony to your glory to heal me because so many people are praying. Don’t you want to answer all their prayers? Don’t you think it would be better for me to praise you instead of going to the grave? For your name’s sake, O LORD, preserve my life! In your righteousness bring my soul out of trouble!”
What Has Been Encouraging:
The number of children praying for me has been a delightful surprise and a source of encouragement. Several children regularly request to pray for “Pastor Sean” or “my daddy’s friend Sean.” A couple families even made me personalized drawings. One child drew a picture of me riding on top of a lion. I have never done that, but who knows what can happen after my treatments are complete!
The other night before bed, I read Chandler the story about how Jesus welcomes the little children. Jesus loves kids, and he says that we should become like them when it comes to our faith. The sincerity and dependance that a child often exhibits are qualities true faith also possesses. May we all fully trust in the Christ who loved us to the point of death and rose from the dead on our behalf!
“But Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.’ And he laid his hands on them and went away.” (Matthew 19:14–15)
I am grateful to have gotten my third treatment of chemo this week before Hurricane Milton arrived. Additionally, it is good to hear the rain while you are in bed recovering! Thankfully, we did not sustain any damage and are praying for those who have been impacted.
Each week I receive a chemo drug that has been nick named “The Red Devil.” This is a strong drug that must be administered by hand instead of through the normal IV machine. I have done well with the drug, but this time, it was more difficult. I was quite nauseous, and I anticipate I’m going to have to “gird up my loins” for the next round. The metal taste it produces is memorable!
Prayer Requests and Praises:
I am thankful that my treatments have not been delayed. Someone told me they were praying my treatments would “be on time, every time” for all twelve of them. This is a great prayer.
Since June, I have had a swollen lymph node on my neck. It has been noticeable to medical staff, but since my chemo treatments began, it has nearly vanished! In fact, the physician assistant who examined me this past time said she could not find it. This is a good sign the chemo is working. Please pray this happens to all the lymph nodes throughout my body and where the cancer has progressed into stage four.
What I am Learning:
I have learned the greatest threat to my life is not cancer. There is something worse than cancer: sin. The worst thing cancer can do is shrivel up my body until it physically dies. Sin is far worse. Sin shrivels up the soul unto an eternal death.
“For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:20–23
Jesus Christ died for me and has forgiven me of my sin. However, Christians should never downplay sin or treat it lightly. The real Satan (not the red devil) is seeking to devour all of us (1 Peter 5:8). The Scriptures repeatedly tell us to flee sin and pray for deliverance from temptation.
“Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.” 1 Corinthians 10:12
“Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. For we have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end.” Hebrews 3:12–14
I have made a list of areas of spiritual growth that I need the Lord to sanctify me in during my remaining treatments. That growth is more important than the growth of my cancer cells. Have you considered where you are being tempted lately? What areas of your spiritual life need to be addressed directly in these upcoming days and weeks? Don’t delay. Make a list, confess where you have fallen short, ask God’s forgiveness, believe Christ will change you through his death and resurrection, and read the Bible attentively.
What Has Been Encouraging:
Sometimes a sentence lingers and leaves an impact. I have received encouraging text messages with memorable quotes. Here are three of them:
“The Lord permits us to feel our weakness, that we may be sensible of it; for though we are ready in words to confess that we are weak, we do not so properly know it, till that secret, though unallowed, dependence we have upon some strength in ourselves is brought to the trial, and fails us. To be humble, and, like a little child, afraid of taking a step alone, and so conscious of snares and dangers around us, as to cry to him continually to hold us up that we may be safe, is the sure, the infallible, the only secret of walking closely with him.” (John Newton)
“There is never a crook God makes in our lot, but it is in effect heaven’s offer of a blest exchange to us…God first puts out his hand, and takes away some earthly thing from us; and it is expected we put out our hand next, and take some heavenly thing from him in the stead of it, and particularly, his Christ.” (Thomas Boston, The Crook In The Lot, 48)
“Trust is not a passive state of mind, but a vigorous act of the soul, by which we choose to lay hold of the promises of God and cling to them despite the adversity that at times seeks to overwhelm us.” (Jerry Bridges, Trusting God, 216)
We would love for you to pick up a copy and pray that God would use this book to transform many marriages. We want couples in their first years (and final years!) to be filled with the love and joy of Jesus Christ.
Here are a few of the endorsements:
“Whether you consider yourself a ‘romantic’ or not, this book will strengthen every young marriage–and I can personally report that its wisdom is strengthening at least one older marriage, too!” —Alasdair Groves, Executive Director, Christian Counseling and Educational Foundation
“The early years of marriage can be some of the sweetest–and some of the hardest. This book is a gold mine for every young couple! . . . Do your marriage a huge favor and grab a copy of this helpful book.” —Kristen Clark and Bethany Beal, Cofounders, GirlDefined.com
“This book for newlyweds is needed and tremendously helpful. It contains timely challenges and encouragements as well as relevant instructions for people at every stage of marriage, though its material is especially relevant for newlyweds. Having been in ministry and having had the privilege of performing the premarital counseling as well as the weddings of numerous people over the past sixty-two years, I wish that this book had been available to give to all these couples as they began their marriages. Marriages that begin right are much more likely to continue right. And I highly recommend this book as a vital part of that good beginning.”
—Wayne Mack, Academic Head, Strengthening Ministries Training Institute; Director, Association of Certified Biblical Counselors—Africa
“This book wisely addresses the most significant challenges that many young Christian married couples face in a way that is both practical and biblical. My wife and I are eager to give this resource to the young husbands and wives whom we have been counseling. It is fun to read and would make a great couples’ devotional.”
—Jim Newheiser, Director of the Christian Counseling Program and Associate Professor of Christian Counseling and Pastoral Theology, Reformed Theological Seminary
“Sean and Spencer have hit another home run with their third in a series of important books meant to equip couples for the steps of their relationship from dating to marriage. While many books focus on marriage in general, Sean and Spencer have provided an eminently readable, thoroughly biblical, and altogether practical book for couples who are specifically in their first years of mar-riage. Brimming with wisdom and insight that they have gained from their pastoral and counseling experience, this resource will be one you will surely pass along to young married couples for years to come.”
—Jonathan D. Holmes, Founder and Executive Director, Fieldstone Counseling; Pastor of Counseling, Parkside Church, Chagrin Falls, Ohio; Author, Counsel for Couples: A Biblical and Practical Guide for Marriage Counseling
We are living in an unprecedented time in history when it is socially acceptable (and even mandated!) to walk into a bank with your face (and thus your identity) completely covered with a black mask. Even six months ago, such a choice of attire would have led everyone in the bank to suspect that you are a bank robber.
But while this is now the norm in our culture, we don’t want this to be the norm in our small groups. What I’m not talking about here is whether we should wear physical masks in our small group meetings. I’m talking about a different kind of mask. A kind of mask that is much easier to slip on without anyone noticing. A kind of mask that the Pharisees frequented. The kind of mask I’m talking about is the mask of false righteousness (Matt. 23:27-28).
One of Jesus’ main critiques of the “teachers of the law and Pharisees” is that they portrayed themselves to be clean and righteous on the outside while they concealed all kinds of uncleanness and wickedness on the inside. Most of us know this about the religious leaders of Jesus’ day and recognize that this hypocritical behavior was contrary to the ways of God’s kingdom. But might we be in danger of walking the same Pharisaical path in our own religious circles? Is it possible for us to be professional mask wearers among the people who should know us most?
Is Your Small Group Masked?
How often does your small group talk about sin? I’m not so much asking how often your group talks about sin in the abstract. I’m asking how often the individual members of your group talk about the sin that they are struggling within their own lives. When was the last time a member of your group shared about a specific sin that they have been struggling with that week? Maybe it would sound like this: “The sermon this week was really convicting. It really showed me how much I worship comfort – I run to my favorite TV show every night to escape from the stress I’m feeling from work.” How often does the conversation get real like that in your group?
How you answer this question is a good gauge for how masked your small group really is. Your answer to this question will tell you whether your small group has a culture of putting on face coverings of false righteousness.
Changing the Culture of your Group
In a healthy small group we are not looking for holy attire, but rather heart transformation. In our groups, we want people to be transformed from one degree of glory to another as they grow in their love for Jesus and one another (2 Cor. 3:18). But in order to get there, we need to calibrate the culture of our groups to the teaching of Scripture. In many places the Bible indicates that sanctification happens when we open ourselves up in vulnerability to God, his Word, and one another. Let’s consider just a few passages that teach this:
But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit (2 Cor. 3:18).
Notice the vulnerability this passage assumes. We are transformed from one degree of glory to another when we behold Jesus with unveiled face. When we gain this kind of raw exposure to Jesus, we change. Transformation happens when we come to Jesus with all the ugly sin our unveiled faces betray and behold him in all his beauty and grace.
For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do (Heb. 4:12-13).
There is no hiding from God and his Word. His living and active Word pierces into the innermost desires of our hearts and transforms them with power. Before him we are naked and exposed – he sees everything. But that is the best possible position for us, because like a skilled surgeon who decides to cut a little deeper to gain more visibility and make sure he gets the whole tumor, God is committed to cutting out every inch of the cancer of sin that plagues us.
Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much (James. 5:16).
God’s treatment plan for our sin-sick hearts consists of raw exposure to him, his Word, and one another. Sanctification will start happening in your small group when you unmask your sins, unburden your souls to one another, exhort and restore one another in a spirit of gentleness, and unleash the power of intercessory prayer into one another’s lives.
So how do you get there? How do you change the culture of your small group into a sin-confessing, grace-receiving, heart-transforming group?
The answer is simple: you lead. You lead your group in confessing sin.
You will be amazed at how the atmosphere of your small group will change if you humble yourself and become vulnerable and real with your group.
Let me offer you three practical ways that you can begin to lead your group in confessing sin:
Model confession before your group.
Begin to look for opportunities to be more transparent with your group about your own sin struggles.
When you are leading Bible or sermon discussions, don’t just think of yourself as the facilitator who asks questions and spits out Bible answers. Think of yourself as a member of the group. Look for opportunities to share how God used the sermon to convict you of sin. Get specific. Share examples of how the Bible passage you are discussing sheds light on a specific struggle in your thought life or a specific conflict in your marriage (with your spouse’s permission, of course!)
When you ask for prayer requests, ask the group to pray for you for a specific heart struggle that you are having – “I’ve been struggling with anxiety over the big work presentation I have next week. Would you all pray I would trust Jesus and seek his kingdom first this coming week?”
When you lead in sharing this way, others in the group will follow!
Encourage confession among your group.
When you begin to lead in confessing sin before your group, others will follow. You may lead in this way for two months in a row before the next person is brave enough to open up, but remain faithful and the Lord will bless it. Whenever that next person does open up, shower them with encouragement. Thank them for being willing to open up in front of the group and respond graciously and gently to what they shared. Repeat sweet promises of Scripture for those who confess like 1 John 1:9 – “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
Celebrate the growth that follows confession with your group.
As your group gets into a groove of confessing sin to one another, bearing one another’s burdens, praying for one another, exhorting and restoring one another, I will tell you what will happen: growth. Growth will happen. You will begin to see people gain victory over sin in ways they never thought possible. You will begin to see sanctification happen, slowly but surely, right before your eyes. You will begin to see people grow in their love for God and for one another. It will messy and uncomfortable and painful and awkward. And it will be glorious.
As you begin to see this growth happen in your group, celebrate it. When someone shares how much they have grown in a particular area of their lives, spend time praising and worshipping and glorifying God for that growth with your whole group. And as you continue to celebrate growth with your group, growth will continue to expand all the more among your group.
Demask Your Group!
So, brothers and sisters, demask your small group! Lead your group in confessing sin to one another, and watch God transform your group for the glory of his name and the good of his people!
Andrew Morrell is the Minister of Community and Discipleship at the Nocatee Campus of First Baptist Church Jacksonville. He is married to Kate and has two sons.
Over 10 years ago, I was confused and tormented in my soul about how to understand God’s will for my life.
All the Christian cliques had failed me. Was I supposed to “Let go, and let God”? Was I supposed to find “the center of his will”, and how would I know when I found it? What if I was five degrees off the invisible bullseye? What if I didn’t have the “peace”, and what if I never got it? Should I put out a fleece or wait for a sign? I didn’t know up from down or even how to know the difference.
Throw into the mix my clunky, turbulent, and hopefully romantic pursue of Jenny. I was in need of discipleship and for someone to point me in the right direction.
Enter John Powell.
I was attending the same church as John, and he invited me and some other guys over to his house for a time of food, fellowship, and Bible study. I decided to go and drove out to their small, old house that he was fixing up. At the time, I didn’t realize that the next few months would change my life.
While Katherine made desserts, John walked me through Scripture and spent hours talking with me. He answered my questions and patiently waited for me to catch up to where he was directing me. He cleared the fog away from all those Christian cliques and taught me how to properly understand God’s will for my life. He taught me to delight myself in God and then actually do something. Those meetings in his creaky house with delicious treats charted a course to where I am today.
I loved the study we did so much that I sent a copy of it to Jenny. I said she had to read through it. Not too long after that, she flew into town, and I had her meet John and Katherine. And not too long after that, John was at our wedding in Tennessee smiling with joy.
John Powell was a gentle leader who took action under the authority of God. He didn’t wait around for others to act. He didn’t wait around to love. He didn’t wait around to wrestle problems to the ground. He believed God’s word, humbly submitted to it, and took initiative – like a man is supposed to do.
John was a man who invested in what matters. He taught me much more than just how to know God’s will for my life. He showed me (Philippians 4:9). Those times at his house showed me his deep love for his wife. I saw how he loved his children and led them with tenderness and purpose. I saw him work with his hands, think with his mind, and care from his heart. He wasn’t afraid to have hard conversations, but also wasn’t afraid to weep with those who weep.
Sunday morning as I was getting ready for church, I just happened to be thinking about John. I was recalling a meaningful note that he wrote me years ago. I was wondering what he thought about Spencer’s and my new book on the First Years of Marriage. I was thankful for him and the sweet providence of God using him in my life. And while serving at church, I got the news that he had been suddenly killed while helping someone else in danger.
“Shock and sorrow” are fitting words for that news. Shock that John is in heaven and no longer with us. Deep sorrow for his precious family.
But as shocking as the news is… it isn’t shocking that John would help others in need. It isn’t shocking that John would take action when no one else would or could. It isn’t shocking that John would love until the sudden end of his life.
The sorrow that comes with such news is fitting and deep. But a deeper sorrow would be if we didn’t learn from John’s life. John lived his life humbly taking action under the authority of God. He believed that only the blood of Jesus could save him from his sin and make him a new man. He believed that God calls everyone to trust in that gospel and that changed his life. He was a doer of the word and not just a hearer only (James 2:14-26).
After hearing the news, I came across this fitting prayer:
“O Lord, in whose hands are life and death, by whose power I am sustained, and by whose mercy I am spared, look down upon me with pity, Forgive me that I have until now so much neglected the duty which you have assigned to me, and suffered the days and hours of which I must give account to pass away without any endeavor to accomplish your will. Make me to remember, O God, that every day is your gift, and ought to be used according to your command. Grant me, therefore, so to repent of my negligence, that I may obtain mercy from you, and pass the time which you shall yet allow me in diligent performance of your commands, through Jesus Christ.” – Samuel Johnson (ESV Prayer Bible; Deuteronomy 8:11-20)
I am proud to know John Powell and even prouder that his life impacted mine. And it isn’t too late for his life to impact yours.
For information about the funeral and how to donate to his family, click here.
I’m finally reading through the book Recovering Biblical Manhood and Womanhood.This book is a response to “evangelical feminism” and it is now in its third edition. It is one of those books that I bought years ago. You know, one of those books that you mentally reference, look at on the shelf, admire, want to read… but alas.
I have been convinced for many years with the basic premise and thesis of the book, but now am greatly benefitting from reading through it. Perhaps one of the most impressive aspects of the book is how the authors handle controversy among Christians.
There is no doubt that feminism, headship, submission, etc. are hot topics. Yet these scholars are winsome, kind, and convictional. Below is a section from the concluding chapter that I resonate with regarding how to think about unity vs. controversy. Perhaps you will also find it helpful when it comes to processing controversial issues among believers.
“Yet one of the groanings of this fallen age is controversy, and most painful of all, controversy with brothers and sisters in Christ. We resonate with the Apostle Paul – our joy would be full if we could all be ‘of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind’ (Philippians 2:2).
But for all his love of harmony and unity and peace, it is remarkable how many of Paul’s letters were written to correct fellow Christians.… The assumption of the entire New Testament is that we should strive for peace by striving to come to agreement in the truth. Peace and unity in the body of Christ are exceedingly precious… “The wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable” (James 3:17). But it is first pure. Peace is not a first thing. It is derivative. It comes from hearty agreement in truth….
For the sake of unity and peace, therefore, Paul labors to set the churches straight on numerous issues – including quite a few that do not in themselves involve heresy. He does not exclude controversy from his pastoral writing. And he does not limit his engagement in controversy to first-order doctrines, where heresy threatens. He is like a parent to his churches. Parents do not correct and discipline their children only for felonies. They long for their children to grow up into all the kindness and courtesy of mature adulthood. And since the fabric of truth is seamless, Paul knows that letting minor strands go on unraveling can eventually rend the whole garment….
The point is this: We do not love controversy; we love peace. We love our brothers and sisters who belong to Christians for Biblical Equality. We long for a common mind for the cause of Christ. But we are bound by our conscience and by the Word of God, for this very cause, to try to persuade the church that the vision of manhood and womanhood presented in this book is true and beautiful. It is a precious gift of God to the church and to the world.” (404-406, second edition)
During the recent ACBC (Association of Certified Biblical Counselors) Annual Conference, I interviewed Dr. Heath Lambert about biblical counseling. Questions were submitted from all over the world. You can watch the interview or listen to it through the Truth in Love Podcast.
Below is a list of the questions asked during the interview:
6:55 “If the Bible is sufficient, then why do we have a bookstore at our conference?”
8:50: “Are there any benefits in psychology that we can use to help the heart restoration of our broken counselees?”
13:26: “In light of recent events, how is you talking about the differences between biblical counseling and integration not speaking the truth in love?”
19:28: “Seven years ago I was having what seemed like focal seizures. I was tested by two neurologists and was told there was nothing wrong with me. I sought counseling from a NANC counselor who recommended more Bible study and that I should search to relieve these symptoms. My seizure activity continued and with the improvement of technology and an impatient week at Dartmouth-Hitchcock hospital, it was found that I’ve had a brain tumor and a frontal lobe epilepsy deep in my brain. The scans confirmed and clearly showed the medical evidence. Here is my question or concern with your ministry: for seven years I was told that I did not need medication, but that this was a spiritual issue. How can you really know if something is medical or not? My experience has left me with bitterness for NANC counseling when it comes to what are perceived as “mental issues.” Please provide input as our church is considering being a part of your ministry and I have some deep concerns. I do appreciate your counseling ministry and have seen wise and fruitful results for many.”
26:24: “Where is the best place to start with a new church that is trying to start biblical counseling within their church?” And we had another question that’s similar: “How do you introduce biblical counseling to a church?”
29:36: “Do you feel that promoting certification creates an unnecessary bar for people who want to help other people by making them feel like they are not competent to counsel unless they have received extensive training?”
36:14: “What are some, if any, differences between ACBC and CCEF?”
38:39: “What is the role of women in biblical counseling?”
44:56: “Do you think there is a time for separation in marriage other than when there is imminent danger (i.e. emotional abuse, sexual addiction, etc.) and what would be your biblical defense for your position? If your answer is no, how would you suggest a woman can be best shepherded when extreme cases arise and there is much to sort out but there is not physical violence?”
51:02: Why would ACBC or the Bible not be supportive of trying to go and dig up suppressed memories? And if the person can’t remember abuse, they need to try to figure out how can they be healed.”
53:46: “How can we discern whether someone suffering from a transgender identity (gender dysphoria) is struggling with mental illness, a physical disorder between the brain and the body present since birth, or a spiritual identity issue? These seem like real possibilities to me.”
59:15: “What is the theme of next year’s conference?”
by Kaity GlickI wait with eager expectation for my wedding day. The day when my friends and family gather to celebrate with me God’s faithfulness and love through the good gift of marriage. The day when my future husband and I will enter into a covenant before God that by his grace we will be committed to one another for the rest of our lives. The day that we will begin our marriage and our relationship will become a picture of Christ and his bride the church. The day for which we have been planning and hoping for months and even years. It will indeed be a joyous day that is worthy of celebrating.
But the joy of my earthly wedding day will pale in comparison to the day Christ returns: the wedding day of Christ and his bride the church. This joy will pale in comparison not because earthly weddings are not rightly to be celebrated as a good gift from the Lord, but because of the surpassing greatness of Christ’s union with his bride. Because on this heavenly wedding day, the church will finally experience what earthly marriage has been pointing to for all this time. Instead of having the picture or shadow of what is to come, we will experience the real thing. We will experience intimacy and union with Christ that is beyond what we could ever hope or imagine. This heavenly wedding day is recorded in Revelation 21:1-7. According to this passage there are two future realities that Christ’s bride has to look forward to: perfect union with God and God doing away with sadness and sin.
We will finally experience perfect union with God. Revelation 21:3 says, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them.” In the Old Testament, the tabernacle served as a picture of the presence of God (Ex. 40:34). But while the presence of God rested upon the tabernacle that was in the camp of his people, he did not fully dwell among his people. They interacted with God in the way he prescribed through sacrifices mediated by the priests and through Moses, but the people themselves could not enter into God’s presence. Because of Christ’s sacrifice, in the New Testament era, Christians have the Holy Spirit dwelling within them and are able to enter into the presence of God (Matt. 27:51). But we still do not have God dwelling among us in a physical sense. In Revelation, the presence of God actually dwells among his people in both a physical and a spiritual sense. God’s people will no longer need to approach God through the mediation of a priest, but will instead dwell with Him. We will have perfect union with God both physically and spiritually.
Along with dwelling among his people, God will also “wipe away every tear from their eyes” (Rev. 21:4a). We will no longer experience the pain and heartache that comes from living in a world that is broken by sin. There will be no more physical pain of injury or disease. No more emotional pain of broken relationships and difficult circumstances. The reason that God will be able to do away with sadness is because he will completely do away with sin. Revelation 21:4b says, “there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.” No longer will we fight against a sinful nature. No longer will sin bring about death and pain. No longer will our relationship with God and our relationships with others be torn because of our sin or because of the sins of others. We will live in perfect peace with God and with his people. We will no longer have the ability to do, say, think or feel anything that is displeasing to God. Because there is no sin, we will be able to fully experience union with our creator.
So as I long for my earthly wedding day, I seek to allow this yet unfulfilled longing to point my mind to a higher and more certain reality. Not just the fulfillment that may come if God allows me to marry, but the certain fulfillment that will come when Christ returns and is united fully and perfectly to his bride the church. Beyond the unfulfilled longing of earthly marriage, I should fight for this mindset in the face of any unfulfilled longing on this earth. My ultimate satisfaction will come when Christ returns and I dwell fully with the Lord and experience the end of sin and sadness. This reality is greater and more precious than any good gift God may choose to give on this earth.
Kaity Glick is a graduate of Boyce College and is getting married July 29th.
Unspoken 