Below the Surface
(This is a post I wrote back in April, but thought I lost. The sermon was so good, I am going to go ahead and post my response here along with a link to the iTunes download. I’ll be gone for most of the summer, so will not be posting until August.)
Pastor Joe Novenson spoke to us on Friday, April 4 in chapel about the riptide (dangerous, under the surface, deadly) problem Paul mentions to the Ephesians in Ephesians 4 and that is also present in our own lives.
17Now this I say and testify in the Lord,that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. 18They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. 19They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity. 20But that is not the way you learned Christ!— 21assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, 22to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, 23and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.
The problem is our futile thinking that separates us from the life of God. As we are deceived our desires begin to control us, and we don’t even realize it’s happening as we lose all sensitivity and become numb. The scary thing is that when we are numb, we can’t tell. As Rev. Novensen told us, we begin to use the Christian life as an air freshener, covering up the stench of our futile thinking and actions.
He took us to Psalm 51, where we see both a negative and a positive solution. David, a leader, a worshipper, a psalm-writer, a great king, became numb to the desires that controlled him. He had Uriah murdered, he didn’t repent of his sin with Bathsheba, for at least nine months. The negative solution he mentions is”the bones you have crushed.” When we become numb, God will crush the skeletal structure that holds us up–anything that is not Him, he will remove. Yet, when we are broken, and often think that God must despise us, the exact opposite happens: God draws near to our broken spirit.
Then, positively, God renews our thinking: at the core of who we are, we begin to understand the gospel. That our Christianity is not a bunch of ideas, but is reality. It transforms us deeply, internally and externally. Every time we fall, we are able to get back up, because we are wrapped in the armor of Christ–He defines us, he transforms us.
1. Are you using the Christian life as air freshener? What does that look like in your life? In your relationships?
2. What do you want more than Jesus? What structure does God need to remove in your life that is keeping you from depending fully on him?
The message is available on iTunes U, and I highly recommend hearing Pastor Novenson’s own words.
Published on May 20, 2008 by Christiana Fitzpatrick at 10:58 am.
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There’s talent everywhere
Our chapel season is over for the academic year, and we ended with Dr. Nielson sharing thoughts particularly with seniors as they head onward from here. You can read his recent blog post, which touches on many of the same issues. After chapel, we had a unique event–Administration member, Wallace Anderson, had his head shaved before the gathered, cheering crowd. The shaving was the culmination of a week-long fundraiser for the needs of a student’s family (they are missionaries in Kenya). The exact amount that the family needed for their situation was raised. Here’s a photo of Wallace, post-shave, shaking hands with Ryland, whose family received the funds: 
This weekend, and into Monday, I had some wonderful opportunities to experience and appreciate the God-given talents of many Covenant students. Most of the creativity I saw and enjoyed was displayed outside of classroom assignments, although several were senior students’ SIP (Senior Integration Project–an opportunity to integrate what they have learned in their major).
Friday night was the First Watchtower Film Festival, featuring student films and art as well as special guest speaker Joe Kickasola, Covenant ‘94. This student-planned, student-led, student-attended festival was very well done. I walked into Jackson Hall, and hardly recognized the place. Great lighting, interesting decoration (including lots of goldfish), and something happening in three rooms. A Bergman film playing in one, two Hitchcock films (Rear Window and The Birds) and two Indiana Jones movies playing simultaneously to a separate musical soundtrack in another, photography and video displays from our art students, and specifically senior Liz Tubergen in the final room. Later, a classroom filled to overflowing for the showing of eight student films, and then Dr. Kickasola spoke about the challenges of directing: balancing desire for excellence and humility. Well-planned, well-executed, and very enjoyable! Thanks to the Covenant Film Club for putting this all together.
Saturday, I spent quite a few hours at the Bakertree Music Festival, where student talent was on display all day and groups took their turns playing and singing a variety of music. It was great to see some much collaboration–many of the students played in several groups. Here’s a student perspective on the event.
Then, last night, I stopped by the Sessions House, at the bottom of Lookout Mountain, to see the unveiling of Lauren Cox’s SIP, a fountain sculpture of a beautiful young woman. The sculpture was placed on a flat surface on top of a double foundation of tan rock. Here are pictures of the sculpture before she was placed on the foundation–but they don’t do justice to the final version, especially as she presided in natural garden setting on a beautiful spring evening. (Photos have been added of the final presentation now)
I praise God for the artistic gifts he has given to our students.
Published on Apr 22, 2008 by Christiana Fitzpatrick at 1:04 pm.
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Senior Testimonies coming up
Tomorrow and Thursday, we’ll hear from six members of the Class of 2008 as they give their Senior Testimonies. The six were chosen by their own class to share a brief testimony of their time at Covenant.
On Wednesday, Trey Nation, Katie Bell, and David Scott will speak. Then, on Thursday, Charlotte Okie, Michael Shaw, and Ruth Osondu will speak. Each chapel will be available on iTunesU shortly afterwards.
Published on Apr 15, 2008 by Christiana Fitzpatrick at 3:28 pm.
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Right thinking and right acting
Yesterday, Chaplain Messner preached from Philippians 4:8-9.
He addressed a problem that is prevalent in evangelical Reformed circles of focusing so much on getting doctrine right, but that doctrine often has little impact on our actions, our treatment of others. This is not to say that right doctrine is not worthy of pursuit or worthy of defense, but are we just affirming those truths in our minds or are the things we believe to be true the priority of our lives? Paul calls us to rigorous habits of the mind with continual practice of reflection, since what we meditate on, reflect on, set our minds on impacts our actions and behaviors.
Rather than narrowing what we think on, Paul is actually challenging us to expand our thoughts. Beginning with the person and work of God [creation, providence, redemption, mercy, love, grace, victory etc], we also are called to meditate on those things in art, literature, science, government, and other areas that are reflections of his character. We don’t see those things as ultimate or place them above the creator, but we do dwell on them.
One of the challenging questions Chaplain Messner asked, was “What fills your mind?” What does your mind generally drift towards?
In your area of study or work, what things are beautiful, praiseworthy, or excellent? How can you train your mind to dwell on them?
Published on Apr 1, 2008 by Christiana Fitzpatrick at 3:24 pm.
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Letting go of your right to be right
As Chaplain Messner preached today from Philippians 4, he focused in on the character of Euodia and Syntyche. Throughout Philippians, unity is a major theme, and finally in this chapter, Paul moves from the general principle of unity to the specific situation of these two women. A few things to note:
–Paul has addressed earlier in Philippians what matters are worth separating over; matters of the gospel itself. The issue between these two women was not a gospel issue or an issue of clear violation of Biblical standards. Their conflict was a real one, one that was not just affecting these two believers but the unity of the body.
–Paul is not suggesting that we should not hold opinions, or have views on particular subjects. But, are we so concerned with our views or opinions being right that we damage the unity of the church? Are we willing to let go of being right in order to be in right relationship with those around us?
Questions for further thought:
1. Is being right more important to you than anything else? Where do you find yourself drawing lines in your relationships?
2. How does prayer figure into issues of conflict between brothers and sisters?
3. How can you refuse to let disagreement become discord? What are some practical means to prevent this movement toward disunity?
Published on Mar 26, 2008 by Christiana Fitzpatrick at 3:15 pm.
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Spring Semester is flying by
It’s been nearly a month since I posted last. Two of those weeks I was out of the country and as far away from cellphone, email, and the web as I could keep myself. When I return from one of those breaks from technology, I always find it difficult to jump right back in. It’s not that I was far from technology in either Belgium or Ireland, but after checking my email one time, I didn’t go back. So, although I took notes on chapel talks last week, I never got to posting them.
We moved along in our studies in Philippians with Chaplain Messner on Monday, and then heard from the five teams who traveled for Break-on-Impact in Wednesday’s chapel.
This week, we’ll hear from Chaplain Messner Wednesday and Dr. Nielson on Friday. This weekend is Campus Preview Weekend, so we’ll also get an influx of potential Covenant students.
At the end of chapel on Wednesday a brief clip of Chaplain Messner was played. He drove the team van down to Bay St. Louis for a Break on Impact trip helping with rebuilding efforts there. In case you missed it . . .
Published on Mar 25, 2008 by Christiana Fitzpatrick at 3:11 pm.
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The week before spring break
My posts will be a bit slower this week. I’ve been afflicted with the bug that seems to be going around campus, and I am praying that it will clear out by the time I get on a plane Saturday morning to head to Brussels, Belgium where I’ll be spending a week with 13 others from Covenant on a Break-on-Impact trip. Students all around campus are gearing up (or down) for Spring Break. Do be in prayer for our students, faculty, and staff as they travel.
I will try to put some notes up following Anthony Carter’s talks which begin tomorrow morning. Rev. Carter is the pastor of Southwest Christian Fellowship in Atlanta, and is speaking this week on “Remember, Lest We Forget” a chapel series in honor of Black History Month.
Published on Feb 26, 2008 by Christiana Fitzpatrick at 3:52 pm.
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Two-Identity Tension
In Dr. Paul Tripp’s final chapel talk today (Feb 20) he asked the question, “What is it that God calls you to in your relationships?”
We looked together at 1 Peter 1:3-9. Working from the bottom up (using “inverted logic”), he showed us that it is possible for Christians to be blinded to their identities (vs 9). When we are blinded, we become ineffective and unproductive. It’s about understanding our dual identity. When we forget who we are, we will stop living in the way God has called us to live.
What two identities are we holding in balance?
- We need to hold our identity as a sinner. Although the power of sin has been broken, its presence remains, and we need to be alert to this fact and recognize that moment by moment, we need God’s grace. Otherwise we fall into false righteousness and take that with us into our relationships.
- We need to hold our identity as a child of God’s grace, as recipients of the gift of the grace of God who has given us everything we need for life and godliness. This is the encouragement that we take into relationships–that God gives us the grace to be in them and is using them for his glory and for our sanctification.
We see this again in Hebrews 10:19-31. Verses 19-23 is a clear call to live with confidence based on the gift of grace in Christ. Verses 26-31 is one of the Scripture’s most serious calls to be serious about sin. Then, in between those two identities, in verses 24-25, we are called to community. We are not meant to do Christianity on our own, but in “intentionally-intrusive, Christ-centered, grace-based, redemptive community.”
As you think through your relationships and your community life, ponder the following:
1. How would your relationships change if you truly believed that they are owned by your Saviour?
2. What are the dangers of holding either of the above identity to the exclusion of the other?
3. Are you willing to allow others to intrude into your Christianity? What areas of your life do you try to keep others out of?
Published on Feb 20, 2008 by Christiana Fitzpatrick at 5:37 pm.
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Ore-ific Christians
The big questions of today’s Chapel talk by Dr. Paul Tripp:
What in the world is God doing in my relationships?
How should I respond to it?
Dr. Tripp pointed us to 1 Peter 3, where Peter describes our current situation using three words: grief, suffer, trial. Peter uses an example from Metallurgy to illustrate our Christian life. When we come to Christ we are in an “ore” state. Metal in its ore state is not usable, not attractive, full of imperfections that rob it of its strength and beauty. We too have imperfections and God, as our redeemer, is not willing to leave us in that state (as Ore-ific Christians). “God will boil you” was one quote that stuck out to me. Through relationships, one of God’s most effective boiling pots, God is changing us. The difficulties that we experience in our relationships are a sure sign of his redemptive love for us, as he exposes us, drives us to the end of ourselves, and saves us from ourselves through the cross of Christ.
The other thing that stuck out to me was this: God will not shrink his grace to the size of my claustrophobic agenda. His goals for me are far greater and more beautiful than my own goals for myself, and I can rest in his sovereignty. This message is particularly helpful for students trying to figure out the future, and “find their calling.” Trusting that God is the one writing our story, and that he is far more concerned with shaping us and beautifying us and using us than we will ever be is a true comfort!
A few reflection questions:
1. Are you frustrated with God? In what ways is your agenda for your life different from His agenda?
2. Dr. Tripp talked about getting comfortable with the “theology of uncomfortable grace.” What does that mean?
3. What would it look like in your life to begin to see difficulties in relationships as God’s means of grace to you, his refining of you?
Published on Feb 19, 2008 by Christiana Fitzpatrick at 4:32 pm.
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The Biggest Problem in Your Relationships . . .
is YOU. That’s what Dr. Paul Tripp shared with us in this morning’s chapel, the first of five talks he is giving as part of our Marriage, Family, and Community Conference. He talked to us about the way sin shrinks our world down to the size of our own life, so that all that becomes important to us is the here and now, me and mine, material and physical, my wants, and needs, and my rights and positions. When we are engulfed in that mindset, focused solely on ourselves, we are unable to see that we are created for something much larger than ourselves, that we are meant to live for the kingdom!
Dr. Tripp read from 2 Corinthians 5:14-15 (the bolded phrase is the key point he brought out) For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.
We need to know both the diagnosis–our problem is US–and the cure–the gospel of Jesus Christ that rescues us from ourselves. The gospel frees us so that we are able to live for Him and for His kingdom in community with others. (Tomorrow’s topic is “Your Walk with God is a Community Project”)
A few questions for further thought:
1. In what ways have you seen your own desires, needs, or agenda overwhelm your interactions with others?
2. How have you seen sin shrink your world down to the size of your life?
3. How specifically can you encourage yourself and others to look to the cross for rescue?
Published on Feb 18, 2008 by Christiana Fitzpatrick at 2:58 pm.
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