Two Revelations

Psalm 19 is beautiful in its celebration of two revelations: the majesty of creation – general revelation and the wonder of special revelation – the word of God. Here in western Colorado it is so inspiring to appreciate God’s creation as we gaze on his magnificent San Juan mountain range. Its rugged beauty lures the heart with a desire to explore its vast and formidable vistas. As I stand on top of one of our mountains or gaze at them from afar, I am always aware of God’s constant presence and provision of life here on this earth. Verses 1-6 celebrate this general revelation as we see it in the intensity and of the stars and sky. The heavens have a speech, therefore, that only the open heart can understand giving praise to God.

Likewise verses 7-14 have an inspiring message as well. That message is the absolute perfection and purpose of God’s word as it revives our soul, makes us wise, gives us joy, enlightens us and endures forever because all of God’s decrees, his words, are righteous. Our response then is to see our lives in light of God’s word and confess our sin and shortcomings so that we can be blameless before God. The ultimate expression of that forgiveness and special revelation is found in the word made flesh – Jesus Christ and his sacrifice for us.

Thus the two revelations are designed to help us have pleasing words and meditations as we reflect on them. Remember it is the two revelations that draw us near to God and give our life meaning and significance. Have you opened yourself to both?

Men and boys learning and laughing together

Last March while traveling with Dr. Dan Iles in India where we were teaching together at a pastor’s conference, he mentioned that he would be willing to do a men’s retreat for us. At the time I had been thinking about issues (and frustrations) concerning men’s ministry. My dream was to have a men and boys retreat where we could learn and play together. I see this as sadly lacking in most men’s ministries. While they discuss and address serious issues men face, they don’t do a very good job at bringing the younger men and boys into their groups. I believe that needs to change so I mentioned my idea to Dan and he said he would be willing to lead the retreat. I am deeply grateful to Dan for he is the Education Director for Indigenous Ministries International and is a professor at Shasta Bible College in northern California.

So on January 6-7, 2012 Valley Baptist had our first men and boys retreat at our local camp, Mountaintop Retreat. Twenty five men and boys learned together ranging in ages from 8 to 70 years old. Dan taught on the measure of a man being godly, knowing his purpose and living out love from 1 Corinthians 13. One of our young men, Cory, who plans to attend Liberty University online this Fall said, “The speaker Dan Iles brought a refreshing look at the measure of a man and what it tells us in 1 Corinthians 13. Dan encouraged everyone to memorize that chapter of 1 Corinthians and keep those words at the forefront of all we do. Dan also talked about how having Christ in the forefront of our lives sheds a whole new light on how we not only look at things in our daily walk but how we nurture and grow in our relationships.”

I believe lives were transformed through Dan’s teaching, the fellowship and the fun we shared together. You might want to think about transforming your men’s ministry this way.