Mountain Musings

Prove Everything

“But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; abstain from every form of evil.”

1Thessalonians 5:21-22

Key Words:

• Examine (dokimazo): examine, test, scrutinize, discern, see whether a thing is genuine, recognize, approve

• Hold fast (katecho): keep, possess, hold back to keep from going away, restrain, keep secure

• Good (kalos): beautiful, excellent, eminent, honest, choice, surpassing, precious, suitable, admirable

• Abstain (apecho): hold oneself off, keep back, prevent, to be away from, absent, distant

• Form (eidos): external outward appearance, form, shape, figure, kind

• Evil (poneros): wicked, of a bad nature or condition, full of labors, toils, hardships, annoyances, causing pain and trouble

God has given us the gift of discernment – and like all of His gifts, He expects us to use it.

The verse above is a clear command from the Lord to not just accept any idea, practice, etc. that comes down the pike, but rather to scrutinize it carefully and discern whether it is good or evil. Then, we are to treat it accordingly: hold it in a tight bear hug if it has God’s excellent, beautiful goodness. Or stay far from it if it even looks like it could be evil.

To discern involves close inquiry into something’s nature, along with separating and making distinctions between good and evil aspects. And there are many things propounded nowadays that might have an admixture of elements of both truth and error.  Discernment clarifies which parts are which.

Some years back, I was talking with a dear Christian friend, and I expressed concern about a certain “medical” procedure which many Christians are using but has roots in New Age beliefs and practices. My friend stated that he thought there was no problem because the Lord would not allow us to be harmed as long as we were seeking Him. In other words, as long as I have a good motive, the practices and thoughts that I dabble in do not matter. But this approach ignores some important Scriptural teachings:

• The Lord allows Satan some leeway in attempting to persuade us to evil, make us stumble in sin, discourage us, entangle us in confusion, etc. (remember Job? Peter?)

• The Lord also equips us with tools which He expects us to use, in dependance upon the Spirit, to battle these attacks (spiritual gifts, spiritual armor). Victory is promised – if we exercise God’s gifts.

• The Lord gives us many warnings in the Scriptures to beware of falseness in its many forms. Why would He do that if exercising spiritual caution were not necessary?

How should we as Christians practice discernment as it applies to a particular idea or practice?

• Pray in dependance upon God for His Spirit to grant us insight and understanding.

• Study the Word of God for direct light on the particular subject, as well as principles that bear on it.

• Find out more about the originator of the idea. What is his life like? How does he behave, and what is his spirit like? What did he believe about other related subjects, and does that shed some light on what he thinks about this one?

• Find out specific examples of what he means by his words.  Many people use “code words” that mean something very different than what you might first think. This is rampant in our post-modern relativist society.

• What are the fruits, over the long haul, in the lives of other people who believe in this idea or follow this practice? Does it result in wisdom, loveliness, and excellence in their lives, or in foolishness and darkness?

It is my observation that, in these times, we believers in the Lord Jesus are severely lacking in the exercise of discernment. Why is that?  Some reasons that come to mind:

• more loyalty to tradition than to principles actually found in the Word of God (we’ve always done it this way)

• fear of rocking the boat and being ridiculed by our brethren

• not wanting to appear as a negative person (“oh, but that would be judging”)

• spiritual sleepiness & laziness

• a preference for following personal desires vs. following the truth

• pragmatic thinking (following what appears to “work”) vs. principled thinking

• unteachableness (“I love my music/television show/habit/whatever, and no one is going to take it from me.”)

• attraction to the personal charisma of a speaker

Some other things about discernment:

Discernment does not necessitate negative suspicion about everything. It also seeks to identify beauty and good where it exists, and to integrate it into life.

“Do not quench the Spirit; do not despise prophetic utterances…Hold fast to that which is good.”          1Thessalonians 5:19-21

“Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.”          Philippians 4:8

God has determined that proficiency in discernment, while totally a work of the Holy Spirit, comes with repeated, habitual practice over time.

“But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil.”          Hebrews 5:14

Discernment, whether identifying good or evil, actually flows out of abounding love for God and our brethren. The use of discernment also results in sincerity and blamelessness, and ultimately the praise of God.

“And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ; having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.”          Philippians 1:9-11

So, brothers and sisters, let’s sharpen ourselves and one another, as our loving Father urges and equips us.

~ Tom

Glimpse of Grace

Jonathan yells out from his room, "Hey, look at this huge rainbow!"  Thud-thud-thud-thud we go bounding to his room (which faces the back yard and the east horizon). Hannah does a graceful dash to retrieve a camera and head outside.

"Wow!" A thunder squall had just passed through, and the sun was now shining on the back side of the cell, producing a large DOUBLE rainbow.  And we could see it end to end.  One end looked like it plopped down in a neighbor's yard across Pleasant View Road. I finally got a clue and ran to get my digital camera, taking some shots from Jonathan's open window, then from the driveway outside.

It wasn't long, though, before the double bow started to fade. Oh well. Thanks to the Lord for a glimpse of enjoyable grace for the evening!

~ Tom

To Dust You Shall Return

Been reading and thinking a lot lately about dust. Not just any old dust, but wood dust. You might have picked up that I am a hobbyist woodworker. After experiencing sneezing and coughing fits after times in the shop (garage), I just assumed that, once the fits were over, the problem was over. Not so, according to many folks who seem to know what they are talking about. Apparently, those tiniest wood dust particles (a few microns in size) float around in the air for quite a while after cutting wood. And the cilia and mucus that the Lord designed into my airways do not usually catch these particles when I inhale. So, they zoom right into my lungs and accumulate there. With prolonged exposure to this kind of dust, it is not uncommon for woodworkers to develop serious lung problems, sometimes cancerous, sometimes deadly. Gag.

So, much research has been done out here at Mountain Musings about controlling dust in a wood shop. Of course, there are those who recommend getting the very best state of the art cyclone collectors, like those used in professional industrial production shops. Kind of overkill for a half-garage hobbyist, and especially in the el walleto. Finally settled upon a decent unit, made by Delta, that reliably captures particles down to 1 micron and dumps the bigger visible stuff into a bag which I can periodically empty into the woods in the back yard. Here's a picture...

Now the next step is figuring out low-resistance ducts, hoses, and nozzles to connect each main shop tool to the DC unit. I think I've got that mostly scoped out but still cogitating on some specific parts.

I know, this is pretty arcane. But, hey, I'm a guy.

~ Tom

God's Household

Over the last several years, as the Lord has matured us, we have been re-thinking a few important issues. Is what we believe and do about such-and-such really biblical and God honoring? Would the Lord have us adjust our perspective and the way we live?

One of those areas is the church. How should we think about the church, and how should we operate within a church? I thought I would take this opportunity to share some of the thoughts we have had as we have examined the Scriptures, prayed, read, gotten some counsel, and thought a lot. I hope this is edifying and provoking to you.

Her Hand in Marriage

"There are three things which are too wonderful for me, four which I do not understand: the way of an eagle in the sky, the way of a serpent on a rock, the way of a ship in the middle of the sea, and the way of a man with a maid." Proverbs 30:18-19

Over the past several years, one of the topics of study, discussion, and prayer in our family has been that of marriage and the preparation for marriage.  For a couple of years, we did a survey study of scripture passages (from Genesis through Revelation) that had to do with marriage and gleaned many principles and applications.

One recent project has been reading together Douglas Wilson's book "Her Hand in Marriage" at the dinner table. We have had an enjoyable time talking through the principles he lays out, critiquing/discerning good and evil in practices we see around us, confessing our own failures of the past, talking through our own intentions and approaches, and just enjoying seeking God's ways and grace to walk in them.

Wilson is a reformed pastor in Moscow, Idaho, and has written several books.  In this work, he takes an approach that examines scriptural principles, explaining how they can apply to us today, offering practical suggestions, spelling out very realistic assessments of present practices and attitudes, and using engaging wit.

Some of the main points he covers:

• The downfalls of modern approaches to romance.
• We should follow God's design and pattern for romance as revealed in the scriptures.
• Men are built to initiate, and women are built to respond - do so with God's wisdom.
• Parents, particularly fathers, are given authority from God in determining how a relationship is established with their daughters. Fathers are responsible for their daughters' purity.
• What establishes the foundation for any godly marriage is covenantal faithfulness to the God who gives us marriage.
• Emotional and physical closeness are blessed of God -- provided they are only within the protective fence of the covenant of marriage.  Outside of that commitment, there should be no intimacy.
• A son should be equipped for marriage before he leaves: in the example of his parents, instruction about purity and marriage, instilling courage and toughness (which are needed to be a leader and to approach the father of a young lady!), and training to be a gentleman.
• A daughter should be prepared by training in modesty (both inward and outward) but not in prudishness, parents loving her tangibly, teaching her to honor her parents and to be ready to transfer that honor to her future husband, teaching how to deal with strangers, and how to deflect men's approaches to her father.
• Some criteria for courtship (focused on marriage, wisely evaluating suitors, etc.)
• Governmental entities' involvement.
• An allegorical story called "The Garden" about a young lady saving herself for her future husband.

Wilson's strength is basing his presuppositions upon principles and patterns from the Word of God.  He is also very practical in his applications without getting too formulaic.  Even if one does not buy every last detail of what he has to say, it is a very helpful book.

This book is a very encouraging and refreshing tool for parents who are either starting to think about the future of their sons and daughters or for those families who are already in the midst of dealing with these issues.

Recommended.

~ Tom

Spiritual Birthday

I grew up in a close, loving, religious family in New England.  Thanks to my parents and others, I was thoroughly convinced of the real existence of God, that Jesus was the Son of God, and that I would spend an eternity either with God or without Him.  In the fall of 1975, I started attending Worcester Polytechnic Institute to pursue an engineering degree. In a freshman year discussion group, several guys and I somehow got into a discussion about God, and I so earnestly contended for His existence that the others pegged me for some kind of fanatic Christian.

But I did not know God at all. I could quote the doctrine that Jesus died for my sins, but I had no clue what that meant. I had a vague idea that if I were to do a good enough job imitating the example of Jesus, then I would earn a place in heaven with Him after I died.  But I was a lonely, depressed, self-centered young man, and I remember crying out to God to help me through some relationship struggles I'd had but not sensing any answer.

Then, on February 19, 1976, I attended an evening student Bible study with my dorm roommate. After the meeting ended, Chuck Vogt, the study leader, came over to me. We chatted a bit, and then he asked if he could show me some things in the Bible that "really helped" him.  And then he walked me through several passages, asking me what they said and what they meant. And the Lord opened my mind and heart to see and understand the Gospel of Jesus Christ for the first time in my life. Jesus' work on the cross, not my own works, earned my way to heaven. Forgiveness and life with God could be had now by placing my faith in Jesus Christ.

So I did just that, 29 years ago yesterday. And I knew His grace on my life from that point on. Since that time, He has sent many folks to walk alongside to instruct and encourage me in my walk with the Lord (and in spite of my many stumblings, He has been faithful).  And He sent me my sweet wife Deb and my sons and daughters Micah, Hannah, Jonathan, and Sarah; and together we've strived to make our family relationship a reflection of Christ's love for men and women.

So, thank you, Dad and Mom.  Thank you, Chuck. Thank you, brothers and sisters.  Thank you, Deb and Kiddos.

And thank you, dear Jesus, for seeking me out and bringing me to you. All glory to You.

"But by the grace of God I am what I am..."  1Corinthians 15:10

~ Tom

A Virtuous Woman

"An excellent wife, who can find? For her worth is far above jewels."  (Proverbs 31:10 NASB)

"Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies."  (Proverbs 31:10 KJV)

When reading the scripture passage referred to in my Feb 1 post, I thought it might be interesting to see what the word "excellent" or "virtuous" means in the original language. What I found was very interesting.

Per Strong's Enhanced Lexicon, the transliterated Hebrew word in this verse is "chayil."  Meanings: strength, ability, might, efficiency, wealth, force, army. It is translated in the KJV mostly as "army," as well as "man of valour," "host," "forces," "valiant," "strength," etc.

Huh? Is the scripture advocating an Amazon warrior woman here? How does that square with 1 Peter 3's imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit?

Here are some thoughts from Matthew Henry:

The person enquired after, and that is a virtuous woman—a woman of strength (so the word is), though the weaker vessel, yet made strong by wisdom and grace, and the fear of God: it is the same word that is used in the character of good judges (Ex. 18:21), that they are able men, men qualified for the business to which they are called, men of truth, fearing God. So it follows, A virtuous woman is a woman of spirit, who has the command of her own spirit and knows how to manage other people’s, one that is pious and industrious, and a help meet for a man. A virtuous woman is a woman of resolution, who, having espoused good principles, is firm and steady to them, and will not be frightened with winds and clouds from any part of her duty.

~ Tom

She Looks Well to the Ways of Her Household

"An excellent wife, who can find? For her worth is far above jewels."

"Her husband ... praises her, saying: 'Many daughters have done nobly, but you excel them all.' "

From Proverbs 31

Just got to thinking that I am so blessed to have been given my wife.  I wanted everyone to know that I am grateful to the Lord for sovereignly arranging for me to "find" her. She's a great fit for me, someone who understands and encourages and enjoys being in our family. I do not praise her nearly as thoroughly as I should.

I often wonder if the rise of feminism was at least partially a reaction to men's neglect to understand, appreciate, and express gratitude for our wives. While the Lord teaches that a husband is the head of his wife and that a wife is to respect and submit to her husband, He also teaches that a husband is to treat his wife with understanding, see her as a fellow-heir in Christ, and to sacrificially love her.

Tall order (especially for people whose natural inclination is to watch out primarily for themselves), but by His grace we can and should strive to do so.

~ Tom

Skills from the Spirit

I recently received a renewed insight and encouragement from the Lord...

Being a hobbyist woodworker, I decided I would like to make something for my daughters and my son's fiance for Christmas.  After deciding what to make and getting the plans and materials together, I went at it, making plenty of sawdust in our garage (cough, sneeze - need to get serious about dust collection here).

While working through the month of December, I noticed that I had an increased interest in doing the projects well - getting the cuts exactly right, making the joints strong, doing the finishing so that everything looked neat and smooth, etc.  I also noticed that I would picture the joy of the recipients, and it would bless me to think that they would be blessed.  And there were prayers for wisdom and ability, even for specific cuts before I shoved the pieces through the router or table saw.

Well, when all was done and they had received the gifts, I had some vague memories of incidents in the Scriptures where God had gifted men with practical skills for specific works of service.  So, I perused around, and one passage especially stood out to me:

"Then Moses said to the sons of Israel, "See, the Lord has called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. And He has filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding and in knowledge and in all craftsmanship; to make designs for working in gold and in silver and in bronze, and in the cutting of stones for settings and in the carving of wood, so as to perform in every inventive work. He also has put in his heart to teach, both he and Oholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan. He has filled them with skill to perform every work of an engraver and of a designer and of an embroiderer, in blue and in purple and in scarlet material, and in fine linen, and of a weaver, as performers of every work and makers of designs."  (Exodus 35:30-35)

God actually filled these craftsman with His Spirit, giving them special skill in order to perform some very special, very practical, very "hands-on" work for His glory (building the Tabernacle). The excellence of the craftmanship was to stand out and communicate something about the excellence of God Himself. There are other OT passages about God the Spirit indwelling or "coming upon" particular people to give them abilities in fighting battles, proclaiming prophecies, making music, and other things.

Of course, as God's Word teaches, the filling (control) of the Spirit in our lives produces the beautiful fruit of Jesus' character in us.  And He gives us His power to live a godly life as we are filled with the Spirit.  And we tend to associate His filling with... religious activities. But along with this, He also fills us so that, in our everyday work, we develop understanding and practical skills. Then, when those skills are executed with faithfulness and pure motives, they will be used by Him to give Himself glory.  He wants to use our skills to love and serve people to attract them to Jesus Christ.  Excellence in our skills should not be motivated by pride, but by the joy of knowing that our "craftmanship" can be a beacon of light to the world.  How about that?

In my flesh, I really hate sanding and have just tried to hurry it and get it over with.  But now, I can ask God for the patience and motivation even to sand for the glory of God.

Be encouraged, saints!  God wants to use the work we do, even the mundane, to testify to the world about Himself.

~ Tom