“…anti-intellectualism is worldliness not godliness.”

John Stott, Your Mind Matters

I’ve long thought that the depth & accuracy of our thinking dictates our potential to love God.

…that’s why the following clip stirs my heart.

I know I won’t have the time or money to go to this conference … but, I love the premise.

…wondering what tangible thing could a fitting “next step.”

Knowing myself, I know I need to be pushed, I need structure, and I need to imitate excellence & rigor. So, because some full-contact learning is required … a bit of seminary may be called for.

That’s right, seminary; something occasionally scoffed at, thought to be intimidating, unnecessary, or perhaps even counter-cultural.

But being just six weeks in, I’ve become a believer … spurred on by passages like these:

2 Timothy 1:6-7

2 Timothy 2:15

2 Timothy 3:14-15

As a new dad, I’m getting new eyes. I realize that my old view of God as a Father was beta and bland. What I have always believed to be true is now becoming much more dynamic, encompassing, and real.

This heightened awareness is like the difference between someone claiming to know that water is wet vs. experientially knowing water by jumping into the cold and powerful waters of Lake Michigan. Unlike merely affirming a proposition or two, being immersed in the lake will instantly intrude all of your senses and make you chilled and short of breath…

God is our Father. Not an abusive, impossible to please, poor communicating fool. He is not the folly that we see all too often, He is the best of what it can mean to be dad.

He’s a wise and patient counselor. He’s a powerful and protective leader. He’s righteous and appropriately intimidating. He doesn’t worry about being unpopular – He’s got a spine. He provides and delivers on everything. A consuming fire … basically a cosmic BA, if you will.

And even though He’s the Lion, He’s also the Lamb.

The text says we should call Him “Abba,” which is sort of like affectionately saying “my dear daddy.” A thick Biblical understanding of the term calls to mind the pure and gentle, intimate and relational, fond and tender, familiar and confident, and gracious love between parent and child.

SO, I find myself:

1 – KNOWING that He is love, and that it is real and it is deep.

His love is more real, more deep, and more gracious & good that I first imagined. I know how much I love my daughter, how I would do anything for her and that it is nothing short of pure joy to love and celebrate our relationship … and I’m wicked – how much more loving then, is my perfect and divine Father? He wants to provide, He’s willing to forgive — and not see me as the sum of my mistakes, He teaches & leads, and knows what is best. How does this reality not re-shape everything?

2 – RESPONDING with a heart more like His.

I find myself wanting so many things for my daughter that God wants for His children. I want Violet to be healthy. Smarter than the average bear. Kind and sincere. Pure. Loving the misfits and listening to her ma & I. Secure that her worth doesn’t come from the fickleness of people. I want her to be just and discerning, especially with boys. I want her to put others first and to be a daddy’s girl. I want her to love sunsets and Bruce Springsteen.

But most of all, I want the Gospel for my child. I want her to cross from death to life, I want her sins to be atoned for and for life Himself to enter into her heart and mind. I want the righteousness of Jesus to be coursing through her veins and the truth of His words to be on her lips. I want her to be saved from her sins and saved to His mission (if I can steal someone else’s words).

And what is very weird is that knowing my loving Father and being a father finds me wanting the Gospel more, but not just for my child, but for all of His children.

Can you dig it?

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:
If Jordan above me shall roll,
No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life
Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.

But, Lord, ’tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,
The sky, not the grave, is our goal;
Oh, trump of the angel! Oh, voice of the Lord!
Blessed hope, blessed rest of my soul!

And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.

Horatio G. Spafford, 1873

1. Find full time employment, even if that means moving

2. Completely deactivate facebook for 1 month…we’ll be friends again, I promise

3. a) Call my mom more often and b) work smarter, not harder; managing time more effectively

4. a) Work out 4 times a week and b) get more sleep

5. Kiss my wife 5 times every day

6. Trust God recklessly (gulp.)

7. Spend “enough” time (According to Dev) with my wife & daughter (i.e. squeeze a date night in every week, no matter what)

8. a) Consistently chew with my mouth closed and b) wear tighter jeans

9. Challenge & empower other men to live a better story

10. a) Spend at least 5 minutes a day praying for other people and b) share Jesus more often