Commencement Address

Well, Thursday I gave my first ever commencement address. Yes, I was the commencement speaker for the Grace Prep Class of 2008. Some of the graduates were students in my Biblical Worldview Class that I taught over the past year. The theme was "Turning the Page" and I shared some thoughts about what is waiting for the students beyond the doors. Here is my favorite part:

A New Kind of Freedom – As Americans we love freedom and rightfully so. It is invigorating. For many of you, you may live away from home and its parental controls for the first time this coming year. You quite possibly may be looking forward to not having to give an answer for where you have been and what you have been doing. I want to caution you with what I think is a bit of Biblical advice about what it means to be free.

 

The most sriking lesson about freedom I have ever learned came through Alexander Dumas’ classic story The Count of Montechristo. If you remember, the story is about a young man named Edmond who is rising in his career as a sailor and about to b married to his fiancé Mercedes when he is unjustly accused of treason and throne into the forgotten prison Chateu d’If. He is incensed with anger and spends many days plotting the revenge he would take if he is released. More so than the physical confines he is confined by a deep hatred and desire for vengeance on the people who stole his life. In a strange occurrence a Wise Priest who is digging a tunnel to escape form the prison takes a wrong turn and digs into Edmonds cell. Through the love and wisdom of the old man the prisoner finds an impressive contentment and peace as he learns a variety of subjects from the Educated Priest. In his new life and friendship with the priest he forgets his anger and thirst for vengeance. As the priest dies he tells Edmond of a secret fortune and Edmond finds an opportunity for escape by taking the priests place in the body bag.

 

Once he escapes, Edmond’s passion for revenge is renewed and the next years of his life are caught up in repaying the evil that had been done to him. His life is totally consumed by his one desire of vengeance. Now if you have never read the story or seen the movie I will not ruin it, but one of the most important questions it raises is What does it mean to be free? When Edmond is in prison and has spent a significant time with his friend the priest he is able to move past his hatred for the injustice done to him. He is free to love and learn wisdom and virtue. When he escapes prison he is enslaved to lustful and hateful passions that consume the rest of his life. Freedom awaits you, but what kind of freedom will it be. Will it be the freedom to live a life of virtue and service to God and others or a sort of bondage to individual lusts and sinful passions that will only be further intoxicated by your newfound liberties to choose. In one manner or the other you wil experience some new freedoms

The Covenant Posts

Tomorrow I will continue my string of posts on the concept of covenant and our relationship to the OT law. I have not quit on it, just took a break while away

Tim Keller at UC Berkeley

Tonight in the car as I was traveling a bit I listened to Tim Keller's lecture at the Veritas Forum on the campus of UC Berkeley.

Keller's book The Reason for God has been a NY Times Bestseller and is a great read for anyone who wants to communicate the gospel in our culture. He is insightful and gracious. The lecture is a great example of humility and truth.

You can download the lecture for free on Itunes or at the Veritas Forum website. It's worth listening to. Anyone who has been a succesful church planter and Pastor in NYC deserves a good listen.

The Return to Bloggin'

I was on vacation last week and did not spend much time at all on the computer. It has been good to get home and settle back into 'normal life'.

Today I came across a very good post from a friend and thought it would be worth linking to it.


http://mtararat.org/blog/2008/05/05/sunday-reflections/

Here's what caught my eye
This past Sunday, as we studied Galatians 5:1-15, I kept getting so excited in seeing what the Holy Spirit enables us to do. So the real question is, Are you in tune with the Spirit? You can be a Christian, but not be in tune with the Holy Spirit. Remember the expression of grace is in our love for others, and the way we serve. So how are you doing?

How are we doing? What if everyone in the church reflected your commitment? What if everyone attended like you? What if everyone served like you? What if everyone gave like you? Would the church be sustained? Would the church strive and thrive in her mission?