Its Not Death to Die

Pastor Terry Stauffer's (Edson, Alberta) daughter was murdered this past week. I went on his blog and read his response to this terrible event (see here).

Interestingly enough (in relation to my last blog entry about the importance of John Piper, he said this: John Piper (and others) stress the need for Christians to build a foundation in good theology in preparation for suffering, for suffering will indeed come. Juanita and I have lived an easy life in so many ways - blessed with healthy children, a great church and a sweet marriage. God was good then, and God is good now.

As I prepare this week to speak to the deep and meaningful question of evil and suffering in the world this Sunday, I pray that God will keep realities such as this before me. I agree with Terry; the question that is raised in the midst of a world such as this is about God's goodness. Which is why Terry's only hope is to say it outright: God is good...God is good -- it is this very thing that is brought into question at times like this.

A foundation of good theology, he said, is necessary. Such a good perspective to have. Theology is the stuff of life, it is not something other than life, something academics do so they don't have to work real jobs, something pastors do to pass the time -- theology sets up how you deal with the good, the bad, and the ugly in life. That is partly why it is important -- a proper view of God, Ourselves, and the World is everything including practical!

Terry shared the lyics to a meaningful song that has helped his family the last couple days, from a worship album they bought a short time ago. These are the lyrics - they are deep with meaning and put into perspective that those who have faith in Christ weep, and mourn, but not like those who have no hope -- we know that we move on to meet with Jesus forever and that gives our lives, not to mention our deaths, meaning at every level.

It Is Not Death to Die
It is not death to die
To leave this weary road
And join the saints who dwell on high
Who’ve found their home with God

It is not death to close
The eyes long dimmed by tears
And wake in joy before Your throne
Delivered from our fears

O Jesus, conquering the grave
Your precious blood has power to save
Those who trust in You
Will in Your mercy find
That it is not death to die

It is not death to fling
Aside this earthly dust
And rise with strong and noble wing
To live among the just

It is not death to hear
The key unlock the door
That sets us free from mortal years
To praise You evermore

O Jesus, conquering the grave
Your precious blood has power to save
Those who trust in You
Will in Your mercy find
That it is not death to die

This song affirms that the Christian story is the greatest offer of hope that any worldview has to offer. It is not ultimately about becoming a spirit-being and floating around in heaven for ever. It is about having our humanness restored in the reality of the Resurrection. It is true, and glorious, that we go and be with God in spirit for a time, when we die, as we await the dawning and birth of the New Creation. Paul says that when we are away from the body we will be "at home with the Lord" (2 Cor. 5.8). My friends mother is in the process of dying right before her eyes right now. She said she had a conversation with Jesus the other day about whether she was ready to come home. People are often skeptical about things like that, saying it must be the Morphine -- but I strongly disagree; I think God speaks to us even more intimately in our sufferings. As C.S. Lewis once said, suffering is God's megaphone to get our attention. We hear him most clearly in the midst of it.

But this going to be with the Lord in spirit for a time, while glorious, is not the End. There is life after " life after death." There is a second phase: Resurrection. The Bible says "The Lord Jesus will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of his glory" (Philippians 3.20-21). Again, "We shall be changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye...the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed" (1 Corinthians 15.51-52). Where will we live? The last book of the Bible, the book of Revelation, tells us: "I saw a new heaven and a new earth...coming down out of heaven from God" (Revelation 21.1-2). Yes, the final state will be thoroughly physical. We will be with God in a way never experienced before, even by Adam and Eve in Eden. It will be more glorious than that.

That is the hope. New Life, in a New Creation. And the promise that comes next is one of the most important promises in all of history, that I hold on to closely: "and He shall wipe every tear from their eyes; and there shall no longer be any death; there shall no longer be any death; there shall be no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain..." (Revelation 21.4).

Amen.

Why I Love John Piper (By Mark Clark...& Mark Driscoll)

This week my wife and I went through a grueling Church Planting Boot Camp which tested us at every level to see if others would confirm our calling to church planting, in unity with our present church. Two people that have inspired me (and thousands of other young pastors) in relation to church planting are Mark Driscoll (Marshill Church, Seattle) and John Piper (Bethlehem Baptist Church).

For years I have been inspired and learned from John Piper as a preacher. He is the most passionate preacher that I know of -- and is one of the best in the world. Recently I ran across Pastor Mark Driscoll's blog, who knows him well, which spoke of this very thing. Here it is. For an interview Driscoll did with Piper see here.

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Soon I (Mark Driscoll) will be heading out to speak at a Desiring God Conference for Dr. John Piper. He has asked me to speak on Christ, controversy, and cutting remarks, or something like that. Basically, the gist is that no matter what I say, the critics who forget the whole plank-speck thing Jesus talked about will make every effort to turn it into controversy with their cutting remarks. Should be fun.

Admittedly, the topic is not my first choice because it’s enough rope from which to either swing or hang depending upon how the session goes. But I took the invitation in large part to get some hang time with Dr. John Piper. To be honest, he’s even better off the stage than he is on. I mean that in no disrespectful way because he is one of the greatest preachers on the planet and I think he could hold my attention reading the phone book. But as a man off the stage over a meal when the crowds are gone and the microphones are off, I have found him to be even more enjoyable, encouraging, helpful, passionate, and compelling. As an example, we recently posted a long interview I did with him at the Resurgence and in it he was so genuine and honest that at points the interview is somewhat raw. I sent him the finished interview to get his permission before posting it out of respect, and true to form he edited nothing out. So, out of love for a man I consider a great mentor and friend, I thought it would be fun to share four reasons why I truly and deeply appreciate John Piper, before I head out to speak at his conference.

1. He is the most passionate guy I think I’ve ever met.

Of course, he is first and foremost passionate for the glory of God. But he is pretty much passionate about everything. For example, the first time we had him preach at Mars Hill Church the nuts we had out were unsalted. I learned that he is passionate about salted nuts.

2. He does not seem to really care about his approval ratings.

He does not own a television, and I would bet he spends less time checking what people say about him through Technorati and Google than he does watching television.

3. He has a father’s heart.

Unlike so many older men who are threatened by, competitive with, or critical of young men, I have repeatedly seen Dr. Piper have a father’s heart to encourage, exhort, and empower young men. The few times we’ve been able to sit down together have been incredibly transforming. On a few occasions he has been gracious enough to sit down with the young church planters in our Acts 29 Network with no microphones and very honestly answer the painful questions about life, ministry, and family. In those moments, from his heart and off the cuff comes pure gold that my brothers in Acts 29 still talk about. Especially noteworthy was the question from Jonathan McIntosh at The Journey Church in St. Louis, who asked what he would have to offer as final wisdom to young pastors. Piper buried his face in his hands to think and pray for a few minutes while the rest of us held our breath and waited. He then lifted his head and forcefully encouraged us to gouge out our eyes before looking at a woman lustfully (other than desiring our wives, of course) and chop off our hand before touching a woman other than our wife. Personally, I will never forget the time he told us about holding his stillborn grandchild around Christmastime as tears rolled down his face, describing how he prayed for God to resurrect the baby from death. As I looked around the room I saw dozens of young pastors, myself included, fighting back buckets of tears.

4. By not trying to be cool . . . he’s cool.

I cannot confirm it, but I think Dr. Piper may only have one jacket. I see him preach in it all the time and it’s a tweed coat with more than a few years of faithful service. I also think he may own one belt because I’ve only ever seen one. He drives a simple car, lives a simple life, does not have a tattoo (at least that I’ve seen), does not skateboard, and likes to read stuff by dead guys a lot. But by trying to just be himself rather than being cool, he has curiously become cool because he’s about Christ and that’s always cool.

Richmond Jones and the Hidden Kingdom

This is my latest film: Richmond Jones and the Hidden Kingdom

It is a project for a school that my friend Jason (Richmond Jones) teaches at, and goes along with a series of messages that he is doing at the school about seeking the kingdom of God.

Part II will be "written" and shot soon. Jason and his son Eli (the violent hunter) did a great job. And look for me in a stellar black and white cameo as well -- I'm kind of like Hitchcock like that.

Enjoy!