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Hockey Pucks and the Mystery of Providence

The greatness of God is a glorious and unsearchable mystery. ‘For the Lord most high is terrible; he is a great king over all the earth’ (Ps. 47:2). The condescension of the most high God to men is also a profound mystery. ‘Though the Lord be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly’ (Ps. 138:6). But when both these meet together, as they do in this Scripture, they make up a matchless mystery. Here we find the most high God performing all things for a poor and distressed creature. It is the great support and solace of the saints in all the distresses that befall them here, that there is a wise Spirit sitting in all the wheels of motion, and governing the most eccentric creatures and their most pernicious designs to be blessed and happy issues. And, indeed, it were not worth while to live in a world devoid of God and Providence.

So began the Puritan divine, John Flavel, on his discourse concerning Divine Conduct or the Mystery of Providence Opened. Both the person and work of God are mysteries to humanity. The very nature of the Triune Godhead is far beyond all of our simple comprehension. Even more so, that this great and mysterious God should stoop down to low and helpless creatures. As Flavel has noted, It is a matchless mystery to find the most high, holy and perfect Lord of All reaching down to poor dejected sinners. And although this is an immutable mystery it nonetheless remains a source of comfort and condolence for weary sinners. This is so because the Spirit is continually in the fray of everyday life. We are not left alone to ourselves, but are constantly guided, protected and cared for through the secret workings of the Holy Spirit. He works in all situations to bring about good and happy things for those who love him (Rom. 8:28). Having said that, I want to apply God’s mysterious providence to an Albany River Rats hockey game. How so? Work was giving out free tickets to the Rats hockey game (they are the AHL affiliate for the New Jersey Devils). Last night I took Calvin out with me for our first father and son outing to a hockey game. The Pepsi Arena in Albany holds about 17,000 but only a little over 5,000 showed up for the game. I think the Rats are last place in their division. After two periods of play the Rats were up 2 to 1 against the Manchester Monarchs. They were loosing going into the final two minutes of the second period when they scored two goals within 30 seconds of each other. It was pretty exciting to watch. As time was ticking of the clock and as we were about to head to intermission I caught something spinning toward us out of the corner of my eye. It was too late to react. Before I even knew what happened Calvin, who was sitting on my lap, had fallen over and began to cry. It took a second to figure out what had happened and then I saw the puck laying there on the floor. I immediately pulled him up and took a look. The puck hit him right on the right hand-side temple just missing the eye. Before I was able to stand up there was an Arena security guard coming down the stairs to take us out. Calvin was still crying and my heart was beating as we ran up the stairs toward the EMS station. Like any parent would, I feared the worst. About half way to the EMS station (only about 3-4 minutes after he was hit) he stopped crying and settled down although he was still holding on to me tightly. After arriving at the EMS station they checked him out and it seemed for the most part that it was just a flesh wound. For the first 10 minutes he wasn’t saying anything and I couldn’t get him to respond to me. Of course, that made me nervous thinking at the least he had suffered a concussion. I had him get up and walk and as soon as he didn’t have ten people hovering over him he began chatting all about what had just happened and started to run around everywhere. After about a half hour down in the EMS station he appeared to be fine. He was playing with his new souvenir, an official River Rats game puck taken right of the ice. It was still cold when he got it. It is his war souvenir. We went to Albany Med just to make sure everything was okay and he checked out fine. As a side note, the EMS personnel at the Arena and the doctor at Albany Med were great. In short, my son who was hit in the head with a hockey puck only has a small abrasion and a mild bruise. The providence of God is ultimately an inextricable mystery to us. His ways are far above our ways. The secret things of the Lord belong only to him. I don’t ultimately know why that is an arena that holds 17,000 people my son had to be hit. I had just switched him from one side of my lap to the other not even five minutes before. If I had not switched him the puck would have just bounced of my chest. Or why did I not see it sooner and move him out of the way or block it with my hand? Thankfully the security guard said that he saw it bounce twice before it hit Calvin. I did not even see it until it was too late. Why in the mystery of God’s providence did a hockey puck bounce out of the rink and strike my two year old son? Yet, upon further reflection the question which I really have to ask, the question which Flavel pondered is why in the mystery of God’s providence did He so orchestrate the event to protect my son from more serious harm? The mysterious providence of God truly is a divine solace and comfort for lowly creatures who do not deserve the mercy of God. He has shown his gracious hand to our family in protecting my son last night. Sadly, I too often fail to thank the Lord for his continual and secret care over us. One more thought which has been deeply impressed upon me from this event is my complete inability to protect my children. This is a terrifying, frustrating and humbling realization. As a parent, particularly as a father, I want to be in control when it comes to protecting my children. When the possibility of such protection is out of my hand I get angry and extremely frustrated. I hate the fact that I did not see the puck sooner or that I could not do anything to prevent it from hitting my son. Yet, in an amazing way that is exactly where the Lord wants us. It took my son getting nailed in the head with a hockey puck for me to realize that ultimately I cannot protect him but that I am to entrust my son to the Lord’s care for he loves him more than I ever could and he will protect him better than I ever could imagine. This is a terribly humbling thought. But as Flavel wrote, “it [is] not worth while to live in a world devoid of God and Providence.” Praise be to the Lord most high who gives life and watches over it. Blessed be the name of the Lord.

January 28, 1986

For some people, older than me, the assassination of John F. Kennedy is an impression burned into their mind forever. They remember exactly where they were and what they were doing. It is a moment that will remain with them forever. For my generation the date of January 28, 1986 has been seared into our minds for the rest of our lives. While I honestly had not thought about it in years, when I clicked on CNN's website all the memories flooded back into my mind. I was in elementary school. I remember an announcement being made over the school PA system and I remember them bringing in TV's to show as what had just happened. I was nine years old at the time. It was a colder than usual day in Cape Canaveral, FL (36 degrees F). NASA space shuttle crew STS 51-L began their flight into space. They were hoping to make history by bringing along the first teacher, Christa McAuliffe, into space. Instead, another course of history had been charted for them. Just 73 seconds into their flight an o-ring seal in the right rocket booster failed creating a flame which destroyed the structural integrity of the spacecraft. The space shuttle Challenger was destroyed and all seven crew members were killed, most likely upon impact with the ocean. Like 9/11 now 1/28/86 is a day that will live on forever in the memories of those who witnessed it. I personally remember being shocked and deeply saddened, particularly over the loss of a teacher. It was a tragic day for more than just NASA's space program. On the twentieth anniversay of this day we should take the time to remember. In the words of President Ronald Reagan, issued shortly after the Challenger explosion, "We will never forget them, nor the last time we saw them, this morning, as they prepared for their journey and waved goodbye and 'slipped the surly bonds of earth' to 'touch the face of God." Read: About the Space Shuttle Challenger Disaster Read: About Christa McAuliffe Read: An account of the Challenger's Timeline

Jazzy Christian Spirituality

Shane Walker over at 9Marks has a good review of Don Miller's Blue Like Jazz. Here is Walker's conclusion:

Likely, right now someone in your church is reading Blue Like Jazz or some similar book. It will resonate with them in style and content—it is cool and Christian. And it is extremely unhelpful. The only antidote seems to be twofold. The first is to reintroduce young Christians to the biblical Jesus: the person who died an agonizing death for their sins, who will tread the winepress of the wrath of God, and who listens to their prayers. The second is to begin the battle against the cool. The godly must begin to prove in the pulpit, in writing, and in their lives that Christianity is the deadly enemy of the cool. And the cool is the Western postmodern entertainment driven culture that has tutored our children and ourselves for the last fifty years.

(HT: Reformation 21)

212 Million $ to Uncover Solar System Beginnings

NASA spent 212 million dollars on collecting comet dust in hope of discovering how the solar system began. While I have to admit that such a discovery and endeavor in general is pretty cool, wouldn't it be much easier to just crack open a Bible and read the first few chapters in Genesis? Government always has to spend big! However, such an endeavor, while I don't think it will uncover the beginning of the solar system, will nonetheless provide deeper insight into the glory of God as displayed throughout his creation. For that it is money well spent.

345 Killed during Hajj

In the stoning ritual of attacking the devil, 345 Muslims pilgrims were killed in a stampede. The arduous duties in Islam only bring death. Hundreds of Muslims not only lost their lives in the ritualistic worship of an idol, but even worse being apart from Christ they have met their maker - the mighty and true God who demands absolute justice of those who reject him. It is a sad day for Christians who long to see Muslims come to Christ. May the Lord use this event to bring many to his son and glory to his name.

An inward Pilgrimage

Ebrahim Moosa has an interesting Op-Ed piece in the NY Times today on the significance of an inward dimension of the Muslim Hajj. Moosa looks toward Ibn Arabi, the 13^th Century Islamic mystic for insight into making the pilgrimage more than just a trip around the rock. The author wants to highlight that the Islamic pilgrimage, hajj in particular and life in general, should be more than just outward deeds. It is interesting that Moosa argues as such since through Islamic history (and in the Qur’an?) there is a continual emphasis on outward deeds and works with a lack of emphasis on the heart and motivation.

I believe that such an inward glance in Islam would be extremely helpful for the religion. There are many both in Islam and Christianity who just go through the motions. Instead believers of their respective religions should seek to determine their motivations and inward affections instead of just focus on outward actions. More is required than just outward works.

Unfortunately, for Islam this will not be sufficient. There is hope only in Jesus Christ, so ultimately the Muslim must look outside of themselves toward the one and only true God and his Son Christ. However, such an introspective look may prove beneficial in uncovering the radical depravity and deception of heart within the Muslim. Such an inward glance may prove as the catalyst for the Spirit to show the Muslim their sin and point to the only name under heaven whereby one may be saved – Jesus Christ.

H5N1 Bird Flu hits Turkey

One Turkish family has lost three children (ages 15, 14, 11) all to the deadly bird flu which has been sweeping through Asia. It now appears to have spread to Eastern Turkey. The greatest concern is to whether this virus has mutated to the point where it could now transmit from human to human instead of just from animal to human. At this point it is undetermined. World Health Organization workers have been despatched to the area. UPDATE: Turkish Press is reporting that five more people have been diagnosed with the bird flu in the city of Ankara (where I lived for five months). Picture: An imam in Turkey prays at the grave of Fatma Kocyigit, 15. She and her brother are the first victims of bird flu outside South-East Asia.

Tony Dungy: A Model Coach

Chris Collinsworth has written a good piece on Tony Dungy's trend setting coaching style. Collinsworth is not as interested in how many wins Dungy has under his belt or how he handles himself on the field as he is in how Dungy prioritizes his football career with family and faith. He argues in the article for the necessity of more coaches following the example Dungy has set. Following from that he believes that coaches should better prioritize their life with the purpose of spending more time with family. He concludes his article with high regard for Dungy.

Tony Dungy has set so many standards for all coaches to follow. His graceful demeanor and respectful handling of players, media, and fans are second to none in the history of this league. But maybe most importantly is the way he has prioritized his life with God, family, and football coming in the proper order. My hope is that with a few changes, more coaches will be given an opportunity prioritize their lives in Tony's image.

One cannot but see the Lord taking such an awful event, as the suicide of Dungy's son, and working and shaping it for the good of those whom he loves. People are beginning to see the importance which Dungy has set on his family and more importantly on his God. Dungy has already proven himself as a coach with no rivals while on the field and what this horrible loss is also proving is the faithfulness of God through Christ working in the lives of the Dungy family. Christ will be glorified in ALL circumstances. He works in truly mysterious ways.

Child Rape, the Justice of God & Grace

This previous Wednesday a judge in Vermont handed Mark Hulett, 34, a prison sentence of sixty days. The crime? Hulett confessed to repeatedly raping a young girl over the span of about four years beginning when she was only seven years old. Judge Edward Cashman argued that punishment no longer works and what is needed, particularly in the case of sex offenders, is rehabilitation. Because Hullet is considered a low-level repeat offender he does not qualify for in prison treatment. Therefore, in order to receive the proper rehabilitation treatment Hulett received a scanty jail sentence with the requirement of receiving treatment after serving time.

Referring to the punishment, Cashman said, "I discovered it accomplishes nothing of value; it doesn't make anything better; it costs us a lot of money; we create a lot of expectation, and we feed on anger.” He continued by stating, "The one message I want to get through is that anger doesn't solve anything. It just corrodes your soul.” Never-mind the agony and misery which this little girl went through and which will haunt her for the rest of her life; never-mind a sense of justice being carried out; never-mind that a repeating sex offender (his abuse did cover numerous years) will be out on the loose in a matter of months.

Hearing stories like this enrage me. I am consumed with emotions and anger. If I were his judge I would have him slowly and painfully castrated and then I would introduce him to Bubba his new roommate and boyfriend, courtesy of the state penitentiary. Then after years of this child rapist suffering abuse, rape and disgrace in prison I would put him to death. Even with all of that, in my opinion, the punishment would still not be enough to fit the crime.

But I am not his judge (1 Cor. 5:13 & Heb. 10:30 - although I wish I had the honor). Vengeance is not mine. The Lord will judge those outside of his Church. In light of this I never fully realized what a consolation Hell is. Yes, it is a place of endless torment and punishment for those who have rejected Christ, but it is also a place of justice – a final court where all injustice is vanquished. We cry out with the Psalmist: “Oh, let the evil of the wicked come to an end, and may you establish the righteous - you who test the minds and hearts, O righteous God!” (Psalm 7:9). The Word of the Lord continues:

God is a righteous judge, and a God who feels indignation every day. If a man does not repent, God will whet his sword; he has bent and readied his bow; he has prepared for him his deadly weapons, making his arrows fiery shafts. Behold, the wicked man conceives evil and is pregnant with mischief and gives birth to lies. He makes a pit, digging it out, and falls into the hole that he has made. His mischief returns upon his own head, and on his own skull his violence descends. I will give to the LORD the thanks due to his righteousness, and I will sing praise to the name of the LORD, the Most High. (Psa. 7:11-17)

Even when it feels like justice has been miscarried the Lord will have his recompense. Because of God’s absolute righteousness even the minutest sin cannot enter his presence. Judgment and punishment is due for sin to all sinners. Our holy God is indignant every day due to the radical depravity within human hearts. And he is ready to strike. His sword is un-sheathed, his bow is ready and he waits the final day when “when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might (2 Thess. 1:7-9).

The justice of God is not harsh, awful or mean. It is righteous, holy and good. Every sinner (i.e., every human) deserves the wrath of God to rest upon them. We are a repugnant stench in the angry nostrils of a mighty and righteous God. In the case of Mark Hulett I look forward to the justice of God. Since Hulett will not receive his just due on this earth it will take eternity to reconcile this injustice. What is even more amazing and radical is that both child rapists and “normal” people have this in common: all have sinned and have fallen short of the glory of God (Rom. 6:23). And the wages of sin is death and eternal separation from our Creator God. This is the good, right and true justice of God. It is what we deserve and God is perfectly just in handing it out.

Yet, herein lies the scandal of the cross. Hypothetically, Mark Hulett runs into a Christian working with Chuck Colson’s Prison Ministry Fellowship. During his miniscule sixty day prison sentence the child rapist comes to saving faith in Jesus Christ. A sick and depraved sinner deserving the full wrath of God to be rushed out on him is now safe in the arms of Christ. The amazing thing, the truth that I cannot comprehend and which sometimes enrages me, is that the Kingdom of God is reserved for sinners (1 Cor. 6:9). Christ came, not seeking those who were well, but those who were lost, sick and depraved. I am left in wonder and amazement. The words which were once welling up inside of me have dried up with reverence and awe to our Creator and Redeemer. I can say nothing more but echo the Apostle Paul:

Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! "For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?" "Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?" For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen (Romans 11:33-36).

The Face of Islam?

Whether Muslims like it or not Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is showing forth a side of Islam which many (even Muslims) may not like. Does such speech come from a follower of the religion of peace? To wish for the death of Ariel Sharon is one thing, but to deny the Holocaust and seek the eradication of Israel is quite another. This is more than the face of Islam - it is the face with a heart full of evil and radical corruption. Sometime, probably NOT in the near future, I would like to do a Qur'anic-historical study to see the roots of Muslim hatred toward Israel and the Jewish people. Any thoughts or resources?

Mormon Missionaries Shot

They are the faithful. They are always there on mission. Every country I have visited I have run into Mormon missionaries. Even one of my favorite football players, Eagles tight-end Chad Lewis, is an active Mormon missionary. Yet, there is a danger in their mission - one was fatally shot while going door-to-door this past Monday night. I wonder of this will give them more resolve and determination or will they hunker down and become less active?

Usus Legis - the use of the Law

Below is a brief piece I wrote for a class I am taking. It should be viewed as only an outline. There is much that could (and should) be filled in. Till another time. Well, let me know what you think.

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I believe that the law was used in Israel for a multitude of reasons. For now I will list only a few. First, it served as boundary markers (to steal a phrase from NPP)[1] to distinguish Israel from the other nations which surrounded God’s people. The law and obedience to its stipulations made Israel a holy nation, a people set aside unto the one and only true God. They were to be distinct from the other nations. All peoples were to see Israel’s obedience to the law of the Lord and they were to know the name of the Lord.

Second, the law was to declare the glory and absolute holiness of the God who revealed the law to them. Israel was to see the utter holiness of the Lord through the law.

Third, obedience to the law was important for personal purity. Psalm 119:9-11: “How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. ¹⁰ With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! ¹¹ I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” Knowledge of and obedience to the law was to keep God’s people from sinning against him.

Fourth, the law also served as Israel’s guide toward personal holiness. Sojourners on this earth need the commandments of the Lord for guidance and correction (Ps. 119:19). It was the path of holiness which Israel was to follow. Of course, history proved the impossibility of keeping this law and thus the impossibility of obtaining the purity unto righteousness. Only one person fulfilled and completely obeyed every aspect of the law.

Fifth, it was to show forth sin (Romans 7:8-9). As Paul says we would not know our sin apart from the law (whether written in Scripture or on human hearts). It leads us to the necessity of Christ (Heb. 10:1 – shadow of things to come). The multitude of blood sacrifices demanded by the law only showed forth the law’s inability to save. Instead it pointed to the absolute necessity for a savior – someone to perfectly obey the law and then grant that righteousness onto our own accounts.

The tertius usus legis argues for the necessity of the law for Christians. For those who have been saved by the grace of Christ the law no longer stands as judge and jury to condemn, but it stands as a norm of conduct, a pattern of life and behavior for the regenerate. It teaches us the way of righteousness. It is not adhered to out of guilt or duty but out of delight in light of the free salvation which God has bestowed on us through the death and resurrection of his son on our behalf.

In regards to the relationship of the law in the OT and the law in the NT I would hold to a basic continuity and unity. However, a threefold distinction of the law must be made. As traditionally stated I believe that the law can be broken up (although at times with difficulty) into lex ceremonialis, lex civilis, and lex moralis.

The lex ceremonialis is the law of the cult. It encompasses the stipulations and commandments which governed the proper conduct of the tabernacle and then temple. This aspect of the law has found its fulfillment in Christ who was the perfect sacrifice and has since been abrogated through his fulfillment.

The lex civilis, is the judicial and civil aspect of the law of God. This encompassed such laws which organized Israelite society. I believe that Christ has also fulfilled this aspect of the law, but as to its abrogation this is a much more difficult question. I am not a full fledged theonomist by any means, but I often wonder in my heart if we should seek to align the law of the land more with the law of the Lord. Just how this would look I don’t know.

Lastly, there is the lex moralis, which is the abiding moral law of God. It is best summed up in the Ten Commandments of which I believe ALL remain valid for today. It might be fair to say that the lex civilis was the cultural outworking of the lex moralis for Israel. God provided the application of the moral law through the civil law.

Therefore, it is the moral law of God which remains valid for today’s Christian and this law must be correctly interpreted and applied to each cultural context. The application may change with time, but the basis for those laws, found in the Ten Commandments, will not change.

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[1] In using this phrase I understand that I am not using it in the same way as the New Perspective proponents.