Whitsitt 1205 -- 50 Years Later

I just had a most amazing meeting. Sitting at my desk reading some Last Letters from martyred missionaries of the China Inland Mission, I heard a knock on the door and a elderly man opened the door and entered. John Griggs, who trained as Southern 50 years ago and who was returning for the first time, used to live in my room. Mr. Griggs is now the Director of Prayer and Missions at First Baptist Church in Morristown, TN. But 50 years ago he lived in my room--watching the library being built out the window (which was completed in 1959). He had served for decades as a missionary in Zambia (not sure if I remember that right). He challenged me with the importance of repentance in salvation, indigenous missisonary work, and seeking the will of God by (1) dying to self, (2) enthroning Jesus as Lord, (3) putting my hand in the hand of my heavenly father as a little child, (4) reading my Bible, and (5) listening to God and obeying Him. These were all on a yellow magnet he gave me before gently and kindly talking through them in an extended challenge to me as a young man. Mr. Griggs then began praying for me without introduction. We took a few pictures--he of me and I of him--then he left to continue revisiting Southern.

Thoughts on this special meeting:
(1) He knew the Bible and was bold to challenge me to know the Bible. He challenged me to rise early and seek God through his Word. His prayer for me was about 75% words of Christ.
(2) God has been faithful to use means like a little room on a quiet campus to raise up countless men [one must wonder about the men who have lived here between Mr. Griggs and I] to preach the gospel. May I be among the faithful to have been blessed with time in Whitsitt 1205.
(3) Mr. Griggs seemed very much like me--though he is an older man now. He met his wife here and talked about the 'Valley of Decision'. As I told him of my engagement, he was quite pleased.
(4) Praise God Southern still holds to the doctrine Mr. Griggs was clearly taught here. Praise God Mr. Griggs still holds and shares that same message.
(5) 'Father, please help Mr. Griggs to finish well. Thank you for his life and its example to me. Father, help me to be faithful to you. Don't let me go astray from you. Use me as you see fit. Thank you for the means of biography in my perseverance in the faith. Bless Mr. Griggs as he continues to remember your kindness to him through Southern. Amen.'

Sing (and when you do, sing about heaven a lot)

A unique way in which confidence in the Christian life can come is through congregations singing many hymns about heaven. To sing with others about our glorious future with God has three immediate affects on me: (1) God seems really big and lovely, (2) death seems really small, and thus (3) laying my life down for others through missionary labor seems reasonable.

Church 'Growth': Stepping Over Graves

"The victories of the Church are won by stepping over the graves of her members."

--Krapf in Last Letters and Further Records of Martyred Missionaries of the China Inland Mission, p94

Tracts Worth Reading (esp. for Christians)

Discouraged with hard situations right now? with how things appear to be unfolding in your life? Perhaps a journey into the world of apocalyptic literature might be the means God has for you to be encouraged in the present--looking to the future.

Consider these often controversial and rarely read portions of your Bible as tracts for hard times.

Press on.

The Means of Revelation

The Book of Revelation is a means to keep God's people persevering. It is a gigantic means.

--Brian Vickers

"The Greatest Love Is Rarely Merely Spontaneous"

I must be purposeful in my loving of others. This looks like church membership. This looks like covenanting to love and serve. Commitment and planning are needed. As I've pursued Suemi, I've learned this. I have to purpose to show love to her. I may want to, but little just happens when one is as passive as me. And the covenant of marriage brings clarity to my thinking as I consider the church covenant. Covenantal relationships are the context for deep, meaningful love of others. Spontaneity is over valued. Faithful resolve is under valued. May I be a young man like Jonathon Edwards who saw resolve and commitment as the context for love.

Principles on Worship

I would echo again and again the principles of mere and enhancing in relation to form. Mere and enhancing.