"Fair Sunshine"

One of the most influential books I read in my early ministry life was: “FAIR SUNSHINE –Character Studies of the Scottish Covenanters” by Jock Purves.

These biographical sketches of certain Scottish Covenanters…the story of their faith, families, and horrific persecutions; and ultimately the memory of their heroic lives, Biblical convictions and eternal perspectives were used by God in my formative (early) years as a Christian to bring about a revolution in my own heart and mind.  

I wholeheartedly agree with Samuel Johnson and Joseph Addison when they said, “No species of writing seems more worthy of cultivation than biography”; and “It is observed that a man improves more by reading the Story of a person eminent for prudence and virtue, than by the finest rules and precepts of morality.”

The power of a testimony and inspiration from a godly example are personal invitations to engage life and experience God. Christian biographies cultivate the fertile soil of our hearts and minds while germinating the seeds of destiny within us.  Once we read how they lived, what they believed, and see both the passion and priorities of their lives, it’s hard to return to a mediocre faith.

The most powerful forces for changing perspectives, motivations and expectations are personal ones. That’s why Jesus came, what HE sends us for (Mt 10:40), how your witness is so vital, and where the influence of biographies comes from. The Holy Spirit uses human lives in changing human lives, whether from a real relationship or the pages of a book.

When Jesus teaches on sanctification, HE tells us the power to change is in the truth of the Word, being sent as HIS representative, and a personal relational love motivation (Jn 17:17-19). It is “for their sake” or because of our loving concern for another that consecration is possible. You can’t be holy alone…there is no true sanctification from trying harder, self-discipline or works orientation. You will never become more like Jesus without relationships. The fruit of the Spirit is to be manifest in the relationships and difficult circumstances of our lives.

“Fair Sunshine” was and is a useful guide to readers who could, should learn more about a people and their Covenants with God in Christ…

The Spirit of God testifies that they had the mind of Christ.  Here is a small part of their Rules of Society Meetings:

 ‘As it is the undoubted duty of all to pray for the coming of Christ’s kingdom, so all that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity, and know what it is to bow a knee in good earnest, will long and pray for the out-making of the Gospel promises to His Church in the latter days, that King Christ would go out upon the white horse of the Gospel, conquering and to conquer, and make a conquest of the travail of His soul, that it may be sounded that the kingdoms of the world are become His, and His Name called upon from the rising of the sun to its going down.

            1. That the old casten of Israel would never be forgotten, especially in these meetings.  That the promised day of their ingrafting might be hastened; and that dead weight of blood removed off them, that their fathers took upon them and upon their children, that have sunk them down to hell, upwards of seventeen hundred years.

            2. That the Lord’s written and preached word may be sent with power to enlighten the poor pagan world, living in black perishing darkness without Christ and the knowledge of His Name…that they would love, sympathize, and pray for one another in secret, and in their families who have them, and weep when any member weeps, and rejoice with all such as are joined in this society communion which is the strictest of all communions; and before they go to their meetings everyone would be importunate with the Lord to go with them and meet with them, that it may be for the better and not for the worse, and with all such meetings.’

I loved this when I first read it in my UR dorm room during the winter of 1989…and I am inspired to live by it even today. Notice that historically, King Jesus is the 1 going forth on the “White Horse” of the Gospel, not the anti-christ.

“What shall I say in this great day of the Lord, wherein in the midst of a cloud, I have found a fair sunshine! I can wish no more for you, but that the Lord may comfort you, and shine upon you as HE does upon me, and give you that same sense of HIS love in staying in the world, as I have in going out of it.”

-Letter of Archibald Campbell, a Covenanter, to his daughter-in-law, written on the day of his execution in Edinburgh for his Christian faith.

"The Weight of Glory"

My favorite essay ever written is “The Weight of Glory” by C.S. Lewis.

Every page pulsates with spiritual revelation and insight in an amazingly crisp, clear and convicting manner. Here he speaks of many of the truths that are so near and dear to my heart and heavenly vision.  The treasure store of divine wisdom and godly perspectives is as open, abundant and readily available for our benefit here as in anything I have ever read. It is a classic Christian masterpiece, able to bear the torch-light of truth into our hearts, lives, homes and communities if we will. Lewis’ timeless words, compassionate vision of Christianity, with his ability to marry the best of the human heart and mind for the glory of God is desperately needed in our day. What joyful discoveries there are here…poetic, principled and prophetic discoveries!

Here is a brief excerpt, enjoy!:

We should take “heavenly glory quite frankly in the sense of fame or good report. But not fame conferred by our fellow creatures –fame with God, approval or “appreciation” by God…this view is scriptural; nothing can eliminate from the parable the divine accolade, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.”

In the end that Face which is the delight or terror of the universe must be turned upon each of us with one expression or the other; either conferring glory inexpressible or inflicting shame that can never be cured or disguised.

I read the other day that the fundamental thing is how we think of God. By God Himself, it is not! How God thinks of us is not only more important, but infinitely more important…the promise of glory is the promise, almost incredible and only possible by the work of Christ, that some of us shall actually survive God’s inspection (judgment seat), find approval and shall please God. To please God…to be a real ingredient in Divine happiness…to be loved by God, not merely pitied, but delighted in as an artist delights in his work or a Father in a child –it seems impossible, a weight or burden of glory which our thoughts can hardly sustain. But so it is!”

"Reading Matters"

“Just as art needs no justification—we may rest assured that beauty, goodness, and truth are well able to fend for themselves—so also the shelf life needs no defense.” -Tristan Gylberd

The Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy, “The cloak that I left at Troas with Carpus, when you come, bring with you, and the books, but especially the parchments” – 2 Tim. 4:13. We have no idea what these books were, but we do know that they were very important to Paul.

Charles Spurgeon said of Paul’s request: “He is inspired, yet he wants books! He has been preaching for 30 years, yet he wants books! He has seen the Lord, and yet he wants books! He has had a wider experience than most men, yet he wants books! He had been caught up into the third Heaven, and heard things it is unlawful for a man to utter, yet he wants books! He had written the major part of the New Testament, yet he wants books!”

As I have read and studied about the lives of great Christians, leaders and thinkers; nothing stands out more consistently or monumentally than that they overcame great difficulty and were influenced by great books. Books may serve as a mirror or looking glass, and frequently provide us essential insights and inspiration. How often a good book has been instrumental in developing an identity, choosing a calling, receiving needed correction, or catalyzing one’s big ideas. I believe the desired mortar for life, and necessary materials for building leadership are available on bookshelves near you.

Mark Twain once said, “Travel somehow broadens the mind and softens the heart.” The same could be said of reading. “The image of life as a road (journey) is probably the single most popular image in the world’s literature—all the great epics are true to life by being true to this image”(Peter Kreeft). In books, we have the uncanny ability to observe the mountaintops and valleys of human experience from a safe distance. Close enough to see and feel; yet far enough from the reality (of warfare, storms, successes, sickness, broken hearts or dreams) to learn from and live to tell about it. We can travel anywhere, sit at the feet of anyone and journey through any experience to learn life’s greatest lessons. We simply need to pick up the right book, a good book and read on. Warren Wiersbe said, “Reading is not a matter of having time, but of taking time, of making time. We always make time for the things that are important to us…Readers are Leaders! ...so invest time in reading good books.”

The value of reading is inestimable. “You are what you read.” “Reading is to the mind what (food and) exercise is to the body. As by one, health is preserved, strengthened and invigorated; by the other, virtue-which is the health of the mind-is kept alive, cherished and confirmed” (Joseph Addison). It has been said that the mind grows by what it takes in, and the heart grows by what it gives out. Therefore, a life committed to reading and giving is the most likely to mature and influence.

We should never forget that “the battle for ideas is fought between the covers of books” (G.E. Veith). Also, “you can find all the new ideas in old books; only there you will find them balanced, kept in their place, and sometimes contradicted and overcome by other and better ideas” (G.K. Chesterton). It is certainly true that books and history have a wonderful way of freeing us from ignorance and the cult of the contemporary. Let us remember, that God inspired authorship of a book—the Bible; and both gave us teachers and called us to a life of learning (discipleship).

At 20Twenty, our hope is to inspire you to embrace a life of enrichment –feeding on the treasure stores of wisdom, and growing from the life-lessons only found in human experience. May you delve into these recommended readings; and find yourself reading daily, deeply and intentionally. By doing this, you may win the war for clarity of vision and thought that is so critical to our health, vitality and posterity. Then, as Stu Webber aptly said, you will “see into life—not just look at it! You will look ahead, scan the horizon, anticipate needs and opportunities, spot potential dangers, define, discern, delineate direction, and chart a wise course.”

Happy Reading,

Pastor Chip

“How much richer we would be if we would refuse the books of the hour and discover again the books of the ages” (Robert Murray McCheyne).