You can find the whole blog here. I have shortened it a bit. What a great message!

In 1982 Kevin Tunell drove drunk and killed Susan Herzog. He was 17 and she was 18. After pleading guilty to involuntary manslaughter and driving drunk, Tunell was sentenced to three years probation and one year of community service.

But Susan’s parents, understandably, didn’t feel that this was sufficient punishment. They sued him in civil court for emotional distress, and won a ruling for $1,500,000.

Then quite unexpectedly, Susan’s parents offered to settle for a mere $936, on one condition: that Kevin pay the amount by sending them a check for $1, made out to the deceased Susan Herzog, every Friday for the next eighteen years—one for every year Susan had been alive.

The penalty seemed like he had been let off easy (again), but soon the burden of guilt proved too much for Kevin to bear. He tried to present the Herzogs with two boxes of pre-written checks, dated each week through 2001, a year longer than required. The couple refused to accept them. 

After seven agonizing years of writing a check every week and remembering over and over, Kevin began to miss a few payments. The Herzogs promptly dragged him back into court. Giving an account before Judge Jack Stevens, a teary Tunell admitted that the agonizing guilt he felt each time he filled in Susan’s name had become unbearable.

“You get to a point where you kind of snap—and you say, it hurts too much… I used to, like, lie in bed, and if I heard … noises, I used to think Susan was going to come to visit me.”

Naturally, I feel deeply for the grief of the parents who mourn the loss of their precious daughter. I can’t imagine their pain. But there is a part of me that shudders to think of what it must have been like for Kevin to relive the unshakable regret so frequently. I can’t imagine what my own life would be like if my sins were held before me on such an incessant and recurring basis. The tunnel vision of focus on sin with no relief of basking in mercy, would leave me a basket case.

What a blessing it is to know that, though there are consequences in this life for our sins, mistakes, and weaknesses, there is the promise of an afterlife with no remembrance of our sin to haunt us.

Consider these four glorious passages, which I trust will bless you this week, and help you be forgiving to others.

Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Colossians 2:13-14 And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.

Psalm 32:1-2 Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit.

May we cultivate tunnel vision, fixating on the grace we need, focusing on the cross of Calvary. 

Have you ever read an article and responded to the author with your feedback? I have. In fact, I’ve thought about doing so, a bazillion times, but I think I can count on one hand the times I actually did so. This blog accounts my most recent exchange with an author. The following consists of three items: 1) A link to the original article written by Jen Wilkin, 2) The thoughts I submitted in response to Wilkin’s article, and 3) Wilkin’s response to my thoughts.

The rationale behind sending this out to you the church body is to have you read through a theological exchange. I hope it will encourage you to engage in such dialogue with others in the Body of Christ. There may be serious disagreements amongst us, and there may be times when we don’t theologically see eye to eye. But we can definitely learn from one another. Augustine has been credited with saying, “In the essentials, unity. In the non-essentials, liberty. In all things, charity.” May the Lord continue to bless us with unity, liberty, and charity, as we engage in healthy theological dialogue here at Riverpark.

1) Read Jen Wilkin’s original article here.

2) My thoughts in response to Wilkin’s article

Pastor Paul on May 2, 2013 at 2:14 PM wrote:

I see Wilkin’s strong and earnest desire to further spur complementarians on to needed forms of practical application of biblical doctrine. Brothers, we really do need to joyfully “pursue” our sisters, as we work alongside one another in Gospel ministry.

With that said, I’m not so sure exchanging “permit” for “pursue” is the best way to encourage and exhort practical application.

The Word of God is not up for word exchanging or replacement. While our various English Bibles have translated manuscripts of the original biblical languages using English synonyms to communicate the intended message, scholars are bound to do so with a careful hermeneutic. In other words, when Paul uses the Greek term epitrepo in 1 Timothy 2:12, he wrote epitrepo under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. The term is translated into English as “permit,” “allow,” or “suffer” depending on your version. Epitrepo literally means the Apostle Paul does not “turn to, transfer, commit, instruct to permit, allow, give leave to” a woman… No Greek scholar would ever translate epitrepo as “pursue.”

It is indeed a slippery slope to start exchanging words in the Word of God especially if it’s done so in order to best fit our culture today. An extreme application of this would be to exchange Paul’s phrase of “Wives submit to your own husbands…” with “Wives partner with your own husbands…” It’s not that husbands and wives shouldn’t partner together in marriage, they obviously should! The Holy Spirit breathed out specific words to the human authors of Scripture.

Wilkin writes, “I am not certain when it became common to speak of permitting rather than pursuing women to serve, but I admit that it grieves me. Yes, there is that well-worn verse in 1 Timothy, but it seems a shame to let one occurrence of a term dominate our language and practice. It may be that permission vocabulary persists because of the unfortunate woman-as-usurper stereotype that sometimes underlies complementarian thought.”

The speech of “permitting rather than pursuing women to serve” was established when it was inspired by the Holy Spirit Himself back in 1 Timothy 2:12. And it is these antiquated, old-school, unaffected by cultural popularity, timeless, and “well-worn verses” that are God-breathed and profitable for teaching, reproof, correction, and training in righteousness.

I do hope this article grabs the attention of men who are qualified and called to biblically lead our churches. Part of the reason why an article like this needs to be written is due to the fact that male leadership in the church has not been actively pursuing godly women to work alongside in the ministry. Wilkin says, “It may be that permission vocabulary persists because of the unfortunate woman-as-usurper stereotype that sometimes underlies complementarian thought.” In short, the “permission vocabulary” persists and exists because God said it. And while the “woman-as-usurper stereotype” come and go, the greater onus lies on the men who are called to lead biblically and obediently to the One who called them. Part of leading biblically and obediently is lovingly partnering with our sisters in Christ.

In other words, the problem is not semantics. The problem is a gross neglect of our sisters in the Lord and not seeing them as wonderful co-laborers in Gospel ministry. The Lord Jesus and the Apostle Paul are the best examples of applying 1 Timothy 2:12. They fully understood what it meant for them as men to permit women to minister. And they passionately applied this truth in their practical pursuit of women to co-labor alongside them in the ministry.

Replacing or exchanging words of Holy Writ is not the answer. It’s the continual sanctification of our hearts and minds in this area of how biblical complementarian thinking plays out practically in ministry and in the home, that is needed most.

3) Wilkin’s response to my thoughts.

Jen Wilkin on May 2, 2013 at 9:53 PM responded to Pastor Paul

Hi Pastor Paul,

I appreciate your thoughtful treatment of the post, and I am grateful that you, too want to see women valued in ministry.

I want to reassure you that I would never suggest that we exchange or replace the words of scripture with the words of man to suit our inclinations. Like most complementarian women, I know exactly where the word “permit” comes from. I did not suggest that we exchange or replace it in 1 Timothy 2:12. I suggested that if we become too focused on a prohibition we tend to lose sight of the field for staring at the fence. My post does not question how scripture uses the term. Rather, it questions how we use the term. I would submit that semantics do matter: The words we choose to emphasize and the words we choose to de-emphasize almost always reveal something about what we value. It is important to know what is permitted (or not permitted), but it is equally important to know what is needful or commendable. Mine is a plea for us to reflect on where our emphasis lies.

Thank you for your encouragement to male leaders to engage in “practical pursuit of women to co-labor alongside them in the ministry.” I can see that you understand the need, and that gives me a great deal of joy.

Warm regards,
Jen Wilkin

[The website with Wilkin's original article, along with all the posted comments can be seen here.]

Linda and I are rejoicing and praising God for his watch care over our 17 month-old grandson, Colby. He was released from the hospital yesterday and is well on his way to recovery.  The burned area is healing well.  The surgeon was very pleased after examining the skin grafts. Our Lord has been watching over the Angel family in such a precious way. Linda and I would like to thank all who have prayed. He’s got a long road to full recovery so your prayers are still coveted.  

New subject … the candidate for our Junior High and Children’s Ministry – Pastor Gary Lee will be with us Thursday through Sunday. Come either Thursday or Friday evenings to get acquainted and Sunday morning to hear him teach from the Word. The leaders are excited about the Lee family and Gary’s addition to our staff.  

As difficult as it is to grasp, school is almost out and summer routines are about to start for a few weeks. Time to enjoy the pool, leisurely days, and thanking God for the wonderful gift of air conditioning!!! To prevent you from becoming too laid back, here is the summer challenge to help you stay focused on our Almighty God. The recommended book by Barbara Hughes offers a great opportunity for gathering a group together for discussion of spiritual disciplines, and end of chapter questions offer much in the way of personal application.
Enjoy your days!

Option # 1 ~ Attend Tuesday Morning Bible Studies in June

Gems of Truth
9:00-10:15 am
In the Dining Room

June 4:  Nuggets of Gold From Matthew, led by Marilyn Penberthy
June 11:  Sparkling Diamonds From Kings/Prophets, led by Kimberly Bell
June 18:  Pearly Gates From Revelation, led by Uni McEntee
June 25:  Radiant Rubies from Foundations of the Faith, led by Carole Harbour

Option # 2 ~ Memorize Ephesians Chapter 1 (children will be using ESV)

Suggested Divisions:
Verses 3-10
Verses 11-14
Verses 15-17
Verses 18-21 (this section makes a great prayer to personalize)
Verses 22-23

Option #3 ~ Read Disciplines of a Godly Woman by Barbara Hughes

Registration is now open for VBS 2013!

July 15-26

Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. to noon

$30 per student (shirt included); $90 family max

Fall 2013: Kindergarten through 6th grade

2013 VBS Registration Form

VBS 2013 Volunteer Party this Saturday from 9:00-10:15 a.m. in the Dining Room. We will reveal our vision, our passion, our Bible theme and our mystery theme for this summer. Come join us for some fun, fellowship and “snacks” of course.

In Mark 8:22-25, Jesus healed a blind man gradually. It’s the only time our Lord did not heal instantly. Jesus healed some by His touch … cured some by a spoken word. Still others He healed from a distance. He could heal with words … without words … with a touch … without a touch. He could heal as an act of His will … with the glance of His eye. He could even heal when His robe was touched. But here Jesus chooses to heal differently. The gradual healing appears to be connected to the passage that follows … Peter’s faith in declaring Jesus as Christ and Peter’s rebuke of Jesus – a misguided faith in not believing Jesus should suffer and die. His first testimony of faith – you are the Christ – was the best thing he ever said. His rebuke of Jesus after hearing about Christ’s suffering and death was the worst thing he ever said. His faith was not complete.  It would come gradually. 

Our faith must include assurance that Jesus is the Messiah and that His suffering and death were vital elements of God’s glorious plan of salvation.  We must accept both, rejoice in both and see the glory of God in both.  One without the other is unacceptable. We rejoice in the splendor of a Heavenly King who was also a suffering servant.  This is not the kind of king Peter initially wanted.  He would be rebuked for this. 

Your answer to Christ’s question … who do you say that I am … will determine heaven or hell for you!  You can be impressed with Jesus. You can love what He said and the stories about Him. But that is not sufficient for salvation. My friends, your answer to this question must be right! It is part of the very thing you must believe in order to be saved (Romans 10:9; Hebrews 11:1,6).

You can’t get this question wrong! Be sure you’ve got it right! And when you get it right … be ready to answer the question … what does it mean to follow Him?  You will find that in Mark 8:34-38.

A trip to Israel, led by Pastor George and Linda, is tentatively being planned for late April or early May of next spring. The cost of the trip will be around $3,950 and would include all taxes, tips, gratuities, and transportation from LAX. If you think you might be interested in going, and would like more information on the trip, an information meeting is being planned for sometime this summer. Please email Pastor George at pastorgeorge@riverpark.org if you think you would like to attend the meeting and we will contact you when we have the date.

As the parents waiting for their kindergartners peeked through the window they might have thought how odd to find them all laying motionless. A possible nap? Had they all passed out? Then with squeals, they jumped up with both hands raised. What? Oh, just being dead in sins and then alive to Christ. That’s all. Simple Gospel truths being taught along with Ephesians’ truths.

Truth #4 Man is a sinner. (Romans 3:10-18, 20, 23)

So what? You have disobeyed God’s commands. You are a sinner.

(Mr. Sanchez had brought a special pitcher of water with dead flies and bird poop. Nobody seemed to want any. Yuck!)

Truth #5 God is just and is right to punish sin. (Isaiah 59:2; Romans 1:18; Romans 6:23a)

So what? You deserve God’s punishment of death and hell. You are helpless to save yourself. 

(The following week, Mrs. Sanchez, using the same pitcher of water, asked the kids what should be done with the water. They all agreed that they could not drink it and the right thing should be for the spoiled water to be thrown away. “All our sin is like that water and God is just and right to throw it out.”)

“Heavy truths…but does it get any more fun than dead flies and bird poo?”
- Mr. Sanchez 

Spiritual amnesia is a common problem for all of us. How quickly we forget the Lord’s care and provisions in the past when our circumstances are bothersome in the present. The disciples display this in living color. When given opportunity to trust Christ for another miraculous feeding of a crowd … they focus on their limited resources and conclude – there’s not enough food. When Jesus attempts to teach them about the leaven of unbelief and the leaven of false teaching … they associate the figurative leaven with the actual bread they forgot to pack for the days ahead. The problem – they were preoccupied with food, the things of this world. They forgot the greater priority – the things of the spirit. They worry about their next meal and miss Christ’s lesson.

We have much to learn here. We are to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things … our needs such as food … will be provided. But the divine order must always remain the divine order – seek first the kingdom of God. I love how Jesus drove this point home. He asked them questions. They were asked to recall the specific amount of food leftover after the two feedings, all to cause them to see … they had more at the end than they had at the beginning. God not only met their need He provided significantly more!    

Every believer has some special history of how God has cared for them. Since He’s cared for you in the past, and promises to care for you in the future … you can trust Him in the present! Usually we are to look forward … forgetting what lies behind … pressing on to what lies ahead. But there are times to look back and not forget His benefits and provisions (Psalm 103:2). We remember a lot of things we should forget … and we forget a lot of things we should remember. 

And when you remember how good God has been to you in the past – why not honor and glorify Him in the present … and right now?!