SoCal Theologica: Theological Musings from the West Coast

I think that 32 is key to what I want to be. I desire to serve God well in my short life. I will not live very much longer, 50 years is even a breath compared to eternity. To be faithful, is what I want. Not to be extraordinary, but faithful! To treat church, school, and work as holy trusts given me by my Master. I must admit that the future seems very daunting to me. I want to accomplish a thousand things! And yet, faithfulness in several will be a great testimony. “A faithful man who can find?” May there, by grace be found many at FBC Norco, and many at CBU and in the Church of the living and resurrected Christ! Amen

I live in a generation of conversationalists, of big talkers. When I really think about #34 it makes me question so much of what my generation loves. We love lofty, overexaggerated stories that excite us and more than that we love to talk of our future in detail as if we know exactly what is to come and we are so certain of what we will do. In a strong sense we are liars. To speak the truth purely and simply is a difficult task but could seemingly save us much strife and keep us from being the proposed.

37. Resolved, to inquire every night, as I am going to bed, wherein I have been negligent,- what sin I have committed,-and wherein I have denied myself;-also at the end of every week, month and year. Dec. 22 and 26, 1722.

I am convicted deeply of the ignorance, sinfulness, laziness, and the negligence of going to bed without doing many of these things with my Father in Heaven. This resolution reminds me of Psalm 1 where the holy and rooted man delights in God’s law day and night! He reads God’s word and studies it and knows it and meditates on it and feeds on it day and night. Knowing that he needs it to be healthy and strong rooted in the truth, remaining faithful, and bearing good fruit. So, I now resolve to begin to truly think deeply and reflect upon my day in confession and repentance, reading of God’s word, and seeking to pursue diligently righteousness for God’s name sake and my joy! I believe tat this will impact my relationship with God immensely, and it will become an amazing time of growth for me in my day to day life. Thank You Jonathan Edwards!

I played the drums for about a year in my teens; perhaps what brought me the closest I’ve ever come to deep depression was when I’d walk through Guitar Center to buy some sticks and some video would be playing with the drummer from Dave Matthews Band and he would be in the middle of drum solo that extended the limits of what was previously deemed as impossible. The guy is incredible. I would nearly return my sticks every time. What actually made me go home and play the pitiable beats I used to play was the reality that discipline could get me there. Here as well, looking at Edwards resolutions, I feel pathetic, but through discipline and the work of the Spirit I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.