Caught Betwixt and Between –

 

‘…a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”’

-       Matthew 22:35b-40 (ESV)

 

In the matter of fact reply to an expert in Old Testament law Jesus provides an answer to a most difficult question.  The question?  Which is the great commandment?  When the importance of the commandments are weighed, which one stands out as the quintessential command?  Which one, if kept, brings the approval and sanction of God?  And here Jesus gives an astounding and provocative answer.  The great commandment actually has two parts and it’s really quite simple.  We are to love God with all of our heart, all of our soul, and all of our mind.  And then we’re to love our neighbor as ourselves.  Pretty simple, huh?  But truth be known, also pretty impossible.  Anyone that is halfway honest with himself will soon realize that self-love and idolatry are the prevailing interests with every son of Adam.  Me, love God and neighbor?  Forget it.  They always take second place. Witness our lives strewn with the wreckage of relationships gone bad.  The two great commandments are not the way of life for us; rather they are an indictment to us.  In ourselves we are alienated from God and from one another.  We are by nature lawbreakers, not lawkeepers, and we can’t help it.   We will be the kings of our own kingdom surmising that the duty of God and our neighbor is to serve us.  To turn a phrase from the Westminster Shorter Catechism, we think that God’s chief end is to glorify us, and for Him to be at our beck and call forever.  Bottom line - we love ourselves too much.

 

Thankfully, in the wisdom of God the good news of the gospel speaks to our greatest need.  Jesus doesn’t simply rehearse a set of rules to help us get by.  He lays bare the desperateness of our condition.  He shows us our complete disregard for the two great commandments in one fell swoop.  We may think we are lawkeepers, but when we see it in its simplest form we fall woefully short.  We desperately need help.  

 

In the gospel our greatest need has now become our greatest hope.  Where the confluence of the two great commands and my voracious self-love meet the gospel speaks and does.  I need a King powerful enough to dethrone my self-appointed exaltation and put the universe back in its proper order.  I need a Lord that can remove the idol of me and replace it with an unfeigned love of my neighbor.  Where I’m caught betwixt and between the gospel message of Jesus’ sinless life, death, resurrection, and ascension comes with an answer to my tragic and appalling deficiency.  This unparalleled good news speaks of One whose life trajectory was not self-interest, but rather a grand mission of obedience and rescue.  The entire focus was not self-love, but other-love.  The one pointing to our law-deficiency has Himself met the unrelenting requirements of the two great commands.  You see, I don’t need a life coach that gives me a little pep talk to do what’s right.  I need an all-powerful Lord that can dethrone my idols of self-interest and self-love.  To love God with even a fraction of my heart and to love my neighbor without self-interest I need to be delivered from the kingdom of me.  Thankfully this is what Jesus has done and what Jesus will do.  In the dethronement of self the two great commandments lose their threatening power and become instead a pathway of life.  What was once an indictment has now come with the promise of help. Loving God and loving my neighbor becomes a way of life because in the enthronement of the true King He brings me under His reign and power.  

 

In this I have hope for obedience to the two great commands.

- DJM

August 2023

That Lowly Mustard Seed

 

“Cause whether you’re a farmer in the field, prayin’ for the rain

Or you curse Him at the gravesite, ‘cause He called a loved one’s name

You can thank Him, you can blame Him

Either way you’re going to face Him

Whether you believe in Him or not

‘Cause, in the end, everyone talks to God.”

- Aaron Lewis, Everybody Talks to God

 

“Tell me what a person’s prayers are, and I will soon tell you the state of their soul. Prayer is the spiritual pulse.”

- Bishop J.C. Ryle (1816-1900)

 

Not long ago I had the great privilege of gathering with a small group of folks in Brothers, Oregon on a Sunday afternoon. As part of a ministry that serves small rural churches I count every opportunity to gather with these dear friends a great blessing. The thing that struck me about this particular gathering was the degree of earnestness as they prayed together. The prayers were not sophisticated, perfunctory, or wordy; they were simple, straightforward, to the point, and serious. These folks were praying as if their lives depended upon it. I found myself listening, agreeing, and taking mental notes. The prayer-soaked topics ran the gamut…weather, friends in difficulty, wayward children, health, this year’s hay crop, thanks for recent mercies, and much more. These folks could teach me a thing or two about prayer. They were demonstrating in real time what it looked like to both give thanks to God and to implore Him for help. There are hundreds of well-attended and sophisticated high-church gatherings that could take a lesson from this small group of folks simply laying their burdens and gratitude before the Lord.  I felt like I was on holy ground…like I was witnessing something otherworldly taking place.

 

The interesting thing is that Jesus takes the prayer life of His people very seriously. He eschews unengaged and perfunctory prayers (Mt. 15:8-9). He addresses prayers done for show (Mt. 6:5), and yet He commends simple prayers offered in simple trust. In fact, He encourages it. In plainspoken agrarian wisdom He uses an example of the lowly mustard seed. Here’s what He says in Matthew 17,

 

“…For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.”

- Matthew 17:20

 

Jesus’ statement about simple trust follows the gospel narrative of a boy being possessed by a demon. Jesus’ disciples were powerless to do anything. I can just imagine Jesus’ disciples standing by and wringing their hands in the sight of this boy. The disciples were in no position to offer the least bit of help. Also understand, in this statement Jesus isn’t projecting that His disciples should engage in some sort of Middle Eastern topographical upheaval. He is making a point about trust and about Who He is. He is teaching them a lesson about engaging in a life of real-world discipleship. In other words, Jesus is looking for a relational reality with a completely new perspective that puts trust in Himself at ground zero. By casting out the demon Jesus is showing Himself for Who He is and what He’s come to do, and by the disciples’ connection and trust in Jesus they are in relationship with Him and a part of His grand mission in the world. In a demon-possessed boy He is bringing healing to the most severely oppressed. He has come to reverse the Curse. He is creation’s Lord and He is asserting Himself as such. He’s a King bringing about His kingdom one God-ward, faith-filled, and simple prayer at a time.  

 

What Jesus is saying is that the lowly mustard seed is small and insignificant to the untrained eye, but even if the disciple’s faith is small…if they are connected to Jesus who has been given all power and authority (even the authority to heal a demon possessed boy!) they have every reason to believe that God will hear them and answer them when they ask. 

 

Back to my friends that gather in Brothers, Oregon on Sunday afternoons…they seem to understand this parable. To ask any one of them they would readily admit that their own un-impressiveness, weakness and powerlessness is apparent. After all, they are less than ten folks that gather in a school off of Highway 20 in Central Oregon to study their Bibles, pray, and worship. As far as the rest of the world is concerned they are insignificant; they are non-existent. But what they do have is a bit of faith, perhaps even the size of a grain of mustard seed. When they pray mountains are being moved. When they pray they are uniting with the God-man that cast out demons from a young boy in a harrowing demonstration of Kingdom power. What they have is Jesus, and He’s really all that they need. 

A Good Friday Poem - Dark

Cold blackness, a night that’s felt

Aloneness, like Leviathan’s fate

Hope has died, now faith removed

Opress’d at the spell of ebony’s weight

 

A clock ticks, each second pounds

Calm belies the gathering storm

Haunting memories take on flesh

An apparition now a darkened form

 

The talon’d grip holds fast and firm

Has grace forgot that ancient pledge?

Can one be lost, cast far away?

Is mercy left for foulest dredge?

 

Lazarus' stench, alive but dead

Eyes drawn tight from Eden's stain

One word uttered, death has stuttered

Can these graveclothes dance again?

 

Declare your Word, a whisper’d voice

A lightning flash from mercy’s arc

A Cross suspended, a world upended

Begone! that devil of the dark

 

Darkness mine, now His became

Exchanged brightness for deepest night

Imputation and transformation

Death became the brightest light

-Dan Morse, Dark, 2009

No One Like You, Redux

‘Ain’t no woman like the one I’ve got.’

     

- The Four Tops, Ain’t No Woman

‘Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.’

- Proverbs 31:29

‘…to lose your life for another, I’ve heard, is a good place to begin.’

- Andrew Peterson, Dancing in the Minefields

Every year at this time there is a pause to reflect upon those women who have had significant impact in our lives.  Truth be known, I have been surrounded by amazing women….

Grandma Rosie was her name, and she was my maternal grandmother. She passed away in 1993, but not before she made significant influence into the life of her children and grandchildren. She was deeply loved by those who knew her. She had a delightful smile and twinkling eyes, and her ability to cook up a storm was legendary. I'm not typically a fan of pumpkin pie, but hers had changed my mind. She also was a world-class knitter. There are still some sweaters and afghans around that bear her creative mark. She lived through the Great Depression and consequently lived a simple life in a modest home in Spokane, WA. She was beautiful and loved her family deeply.   

My paternal grandmother passed in 2014.  Her health was failing and her memory gone, and she lived to be 97.5.  She lived an amazing life.  Raised in the rough and tumble mining town of Anaconda, Montana, her life was never easy.  With the challenge of alcoholic parents at a young age she took care of her even younger siblings and when the authorities found out all of the children were placed in a state orphanage and were kept there until they could fend for themselves.  Life was much more difficult then.  She married my grandfather and their marriage was always a challenge.  Still, she soldiered on until my grandfather’s death in 1996.  My grandmother lived a life in service to others.  A while back I had a meal with a couple she and my grandfather befriended in the 60’s, the wife had escaped from East Germany and the husband had escaped from Czechoslovakia while both were under communist rule and they had no friends or family in the states. My grandparents 'adopted' them as their own. My Gramma Erma was full-blooded Swede and was tough as nails, but she loved her family. 

Judy’s mom Ramona passed in 2017.  Judy’s mom was an incredible treasure.  She could make me laugh like no other and her bold witness for Christ was unexcelled. I learned much from Ramona.  She has raised four children and worked hard as a farmer’s wife.  When the Minnesota winters got too cold she faithfully followed her husband to the Pacific Northwest.  And when her husband George died in 1984 Ramona only redoubled her efforts at loving and serving her family.  Always quick with conversation, you’d find that no one was a stranger to her.  Her life had truly been lived for others and her latter days were spent caring for her elderly friends.

My own mom is a rich treasure as well.  She raised three headstrong rambunctious boys and lived to tell about it.  She and my dad will soon be married 66 years and in case you’re counting that’s a long time.  She is a faithful Christian wife and mother and doesn’t mind speaking up about it.  She loves my dad, her friends, and Christ. Her kids, grandkids, and great grandkids are always on the receiving end of her many kindnesses.  

I have five amazing daughters.  Each one unique and each one gifted in so many ways.  

Lydia, our youngest, is now a married woman.  She and Lance just got married. She is mature and intelligent and has a sense of humor and wit that runs deep.  We can just look at one another and burst out laughing.  She has made it much more difficult for me to be serious about anything anymore (She once asked me how the motorcycle riding high-school flunkie got the high-school honor roll cheerleader! To which I still don't know the answer!).  Children and adults love her.  Her friends love her. Her nieces and nephews can’t get enough of her.  Her smile lights up any room.  Never concerned about herself, her life has been lived serving others as well.

Alexis in my daughter-in-law. She is the best thing to ever happen to my son Nate. Nate and Alexis have been married eight years. She is incredibly bright and stunningly beautiful and she is the best mom to her two young daughters. Alexis has a very difficult job of her own in law enforcement, and compounded with being the wife of a law enforcement officer she has a quite difficult role. She has a wonderful sense of humor, and is able to keep track of Nate's keys and wallet!    

Esther is my third oldest.  She and Tim have been married 19 years and they have four beautiful children.  Esther is quiet, pensive, bright, very capable, and opinionated.  She loves her family like a mama bear and heaven help the person that tangles with her.  She makes friends forever and is as true blue as the day is long.  She teaches her children well, is an excellent cook, and always makes sure we are well fed.  In fact, her home is often a revolving door of hospitality. She has an amazing flower garden that is the envy of those that see it. We have great conversations, can incessantly tease one another, and we never really take one another too seriously.

Hannah is my second oldest; picture Sandra Bullock’s character in The Blind Side.  No one can make Judy laugh like Hannah.  She says and does hilarious things that manage to get to the most ticklish spot on our funny bone.  She is tough as nails but tender as well. She is an entirely capable of almost anything. Hannah has two beautiful children.  Jackson is the family athlete and Bella is Hannah’s ‘mini-me’ and an athlete in her own right.  Hannah is the diligent student in the family and has several degrees in nursing.  Her gardening skills are a thing of beauty. Hannah exudes kindness and everyone loves her as well.  If you are discouraged your cares are her cares.

Sarah is my oldest.  She is an entrepreneur, a businesswoman, and a tremendous help to her husband.  Sarah and Kevin have been married 26 years and have four beautiful children.  They are incomparably generous and are always looking for ways to help and serve others.  Sarah can make a meal for an army on a moment's notice. Sarah’s boys work harder than most men I know, and Sarah and Kevin’s work ethic is the envy of the family.  Sarah is compassionate, serious-minded, plainspoken, articulate, and committed to her family.  She has a way of always getting to the nub of the matter. 

Next is my dear wife Judy.  The reason our four daughters are the way they are is because of her profound influence upon them.  Judy is funny, reflective, smart, hard working, full of mercy, wise beyond words, longsuffering, quick to overlook a fault, a faithful friend, and is always glad to make sacrifices for others.  Our home bears the marks of her love and care, and her flower garden is on its way to magnificence. Her life has been lived in serving her family and others.  She has shown us what it looks like to suffer well and to come through tremendous trials with her faith intact.  There is truly none like her.

In each of these women the grace of God is evident.  In each of these women I am blessed beyond measure.  Their worth is far above the richest treasure.  

-DJM

Mother's Day 2022

The Inevitability of Suffering -

 

“More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.”
- Romans 5:3-5

“Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ.”
- 2 Timothy 2:3

“In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith - more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire - may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”
- 1 Peter 1:6-7

“God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our consciences, but shouts in our pain: it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world.”

- C. S. Lewis, The Problem of Pain (HarperCollins, 2002), p. 91

“There is nothing accidental, or fortuitous, or contingent about God’s work. It is all planned and worked out from the beginning right until the end. In our experience it comes to us increasingly, but in the mind and purpose of God, it is already perfect and entire.”
- D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Why Does God Allow Suffering?, p. 122

“…God wills that the mission of the church advance through storm and suffering.”
- John Piper, Suffering and the Sovereignty of God, p. 91

“Suffering, for the Christian, is a vocation – we are called to suffer.”
- Dan McCartney, Why Does it Have to Hurt? – The Meaning of Christian Suffering, p. 101


Dear Friends,

Here’s a promise - Christians will suffer. In the words of one author, suffering is not a matter of if, but, when. For all of us suffering has already come or is soon coming. In the mystery of God’s wise providence suffering is sent to every true Christian to serve purposes that only God-directed suffering can. We may recoil at the prospect and promise of suffering, but it is precisely in the crucible of affliction that God accomplishes His most enduring work. And though suffering is not salvific (securing redemptive favor with God), it does have a sanctifying effect. With the effectual work of the Spirit, suffering changes us and makes us more like Jesus Christ. God uses the crucible of suffering for our good and His glory.

In reading through a sermon by Puritan John Owen on affliction he commented that suffering and affliction have an effect upon the Christian that nothing else can have. I know that suffering has had this effect in my own life. Some of the suffering Judy and I have experienced I never want to experience again, however, each time I think about these sufferings I thank God for what He has accomplished through them. There have been severe trials that have come that have served God’s purposes far more effectively than anything else imagined. Suffering is not some foul fiend to steer clear of. Suffering is the handmaid of God’s sanctifying purposes. In the Christian suffering is a sure indication of the presence of sanctifying grace.

As Christians, here are a few things to remember about suffering –

1) Suffering is an indication of sonship (Hebrews 12:6-11).
2) Suffering is a sign of Divine love and not Divine abandonment. We only have to look at the Cross to see God’s favor to sinners in the grandest display of suffering (Romans 8:32).
3) Christ is identified with His people and His people are identified with Christ in suffering.
4) All suffering is God-ordained.
5) Suffering is designed to bear good fruit in us.
6) Some suffering will not make sense this side of heaven.
7) All suffering will make sense in heaven.
8) Suffering provokes us to bear with one another, pray for one another, and love and serve one another.
9) Suffering brings God glory and serves our good.
10) There are things God can accomplish in us, both individually and as a church, that come about only in the crucible of suffering.

As God inevitably brings suffering our way may we resolve to embrace it with great gratitude, love for Him, and confidence in His grace-filled purposes.

Dan