William Petruzzo

I’m feeling very practical tonight. So, I’m going to share a little trick I came up with a couple of weeks ago which I’m particularly proud of.

I added more ribbons to my bible!

I was motivated to do this primarily by the bible reading plan that I follow. The plan has me in four different parts of the bible at all times. It becomes annoying having to flip through to all four different verses every day. So, to rectify that, first I used four pieces of paper. Of course, that worked, except that I keep my bible by my chair where people often sit in my room. During discussions, people would often reach over and use my bible–which is good. Except, in the process, they’d often lose the bookmarked page–which is annoying.

So, that leads me to this little trick I came up with. Here’s what I used: A plastic bottle (usually free), a spool of ribbon from Walmart ($0.50) and a lighter ($2.00).

Here’s what I did:

1. I used a plastic bottle, and cut a strip out of it. About 1″ x 4″.

2. Then, I drilled four holes in a square shape at the top of the plastic strip.

3. Then, I cut four strips of ribbon about one and a half times of the height of my bible.

4. I tied each ribbon on each of the four holes that were drilled.

5. I used the lighter to just barely melt the ends of each of the ribbons so that they wouldn’t melt.

6. Finally, I slipped on the un-drilled end of the plastic down into the spine of the bible leaving the ribbons hanging out the top.

Now the bible has five ribbons, including the one that it came with. I know this might seem like an awful lot of trouble to go through just for some bookmarks that are attached to the bible, but I can honestly say, they’ve enriched my spiritual life.

…Okay, maybe I won’t go that far, but they have been more convenient that I had first anticipated. Give it a try! It only takes 10 minutes!

If John Piper wrote a book about a mystical journey to rescue a doomed kingdom, it’s unlikely that I would read it. But, lucky for all of us, he doesn’t write books like that. The Pleasures of God nearly sums up the benefit we all enjoy. Even though this book is hard to read, Piper’s thoughts are too important to miss.

The Pleasures of God is self-describing. It’s about the pleasures of God. Plain and simple.

The book is broken down into ten chapters; The pleasure of God in His Son, the pleasure of God in all he does, the pleasure of God in his creation, the pleasure of God in his fame, the pleasure of God in election, the pleasure of God in bruising his son, the pleasure of God in doing good to all who hope in him, the pleasure of God in the prayers of the upright, the pleasure of God in personal obedience and public justice, and the pleasure of God in concealing himself from the wise and revealing himself to infants.

Each chapter is an extended treatise on one of God’s specific pleasures. Each chapter is an exegetical endeavor over a single verse, from which Piper explores an impressive expanse of scriptural thought.

The first four chapters deal directly with God’s complete self-sufficiency. Or, God’s pleasure in himself, to be brief. Then, over the next two chapters, he begins to explore God’s pleasure in his interaction with us. Finally, in the last four chapters, Piper moves into God’s pleasure in his people. The breakdown, says Piper, is crucial because before we can rightly be affected by God’s pleasure in us, we must understand and appreciate God’s pleasure in himself.

The Pleasures of God explores many of the same concepts as Desiring God does, but it approaches them with a eye to more thorough theology. At least partially at the fault of Piper’s writing style, The Pleasures of God took nearly twice as long for me to read as did Desiring God. But, that complaint should be taken with a grain of salt because I believe the extra effort was absolutely worth it. Piper approaches with passion and integrity concepts that many attempt to keep under the carpet.

As with Desiring God and most of Piper’s literature, his style can feel somewhat cumbersome at times. Light readers, or readers without very much resolve, will probably find themselves frustrated by his style, and The Pleasures of God is no exception. In fact, it’s probably even more prevalent. To get through this one, a commitment to learn from Piper’s teaching will be necessary. Although, in my view, the benefits are invaluable.

The Pleasures of God is an indispensable work that the church today needs to hear. However, most will have difficulty with this one. Therefore, for the average reader, I suggest they seek first Desiring God. If after they, a fire has set beneath them to continue, The Pleasures of God is a must. If however, you’re a more ambitious and committed reader, go right for The Pleasures of God. You won’t regret it.

While waiting to speak to an advisor at the local college today, I finished John Piper’s The Pleasures of God (review pending). His final chapter dealt with God’s pleasure in concealing himself from the “wise” and revealing himself to “infants”. In this chapter he makes the appeal that wisdom is from God, but we must diligently seek it with our minds.

In responding to large portions of the church that scorn intellectual pursuit of God’s word, he has this to say:

“The manger and the Cross were not sensation. Neither is grammar and syntax. But that is how God has chosen to reveal himself. A poor Jewish peasant and a prepositional phrase have this in common, that they are both human and both ordinary. That the poor peasant was God and the prepositional phrase is the Word of God does not change this fact. Therefore, if God humbled himself to take on human flesh and speak human language, woe to us if we arrogantly presume to ignore the humanity of Christ and the grammar of Scripture.“

Piper is making a powerful argument against sensationalism. The church cannot rationally say, “we just need to focus on Jesus and pray, and worship, yadda yadda yadda,” (which I hear quite a lot) and simultaneously belittle the intellectual pursuit of scripture.

The incarnation of Christ, while spiritually fantastic, was physically near-ordinary. His death on the cross, while spiritually far-reaching, was physically in line with natural humanity. So then, if Jesus chose to come in spiritually profound manners, yet interact and exist in quite ordinary ones, then why should his Word be any different?

God’s Word, while spiritually distinct from all other words, is still God’s condescension onto earth. Much like Christ himself. Spiritually, Jesus washed his disciples feet as a servant here on earth. But, he also did it physically. So is God’s Word. Yes, it is written with the deepest spiritual reality saturating every word, but here in our world, it exists in a very ordinary manner.

So, what’s the point? Although the Word is spiritual, it’s existance is ordinary. And therefore, we interact with it, not only spiritually, but also ordinarily; thinking, asking questions, pulling apart, trying to figure it out. And in that faithful, humble, prayerful persuit, God will answer us and reveal himself to us there.

The past seven days have been the beginning of a new scripture memorization effort. The goal is not to fill my head with an index of scripture, but to apply and internalize relevant scriptures to my daily life according to my heart’s need and the Lord’s leading.

The plan has been to select a single relevant passage–one that speaks directly to my current weakness or trouble in my walk–and memorize it through daily, reflective repetition. This week, I have been closing all of my prayers with a calm and thoughtful recitation of the verse and it’s reference number.

This first week, I chose Philippians 1:6:

“And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it out to completion on the day of Jesus Christ.”

I will say plainly, that the recitation of this verse is powerful in the face of discouragement and self-pity. Not the recitation of it, but the believing it and reminding yourself that it’s true.

Indeed, our lives may not go as planned. We might not be comfortable. We might not even live, but the effectual grace of God will never let his blood-bought children go. We who have been elected, were call, we were justified, we are being sanctified and we will be glorified. The good work God is working in each of his children, through the cross and resurrection of Christ, will not and cannot be nullified by anything here on earth.

Which brings to mind another, equally powerful verse. Romans 8:38-39:

“For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Whew.

O Lord,
Length of days does not profit me
except the days are passed in Thy presence,
in Thy service, to Thy glory.
Give me a grace that precedes, follows, guides,
sustains, sanctifies, aids every hour,
that I may not be one moment apart from Thee,
but may rely on Thy Spirit
to supply every thought,
speak in every word,
direct every step,
prosper every work,
build up every mote of faith,
and give me a desire
to show forth Thy praise;
testify Thy love,
advance Thy kingdom.

I launch my bark on the unknown waters of this year,
with Thee, O Father as my harbour,
Thee, O Son, at my helm,
Thee O Holy Spirit, filling my sails.
Guide me to heaven with my loins girt,
my lamp burning,
my ear open to Thy calls,
my heart full of love,
my soul free.

Give me They grace to sanctify me,
Thy comforts to cheer,
Thy wisdom to teach,
Thy right hand to guide,
Thy counsel to instruct,
Thy law to judge,
Thy presence to stabilize.
May Thy fear by my awe,
Thy triumphs my joy.

From The Valley of Vision

O LOVE BEYOND COMPARE,
Thou art good when thou givest,
when thou takest away,
when the sun shines upon me,
when night gathers over me.
Thou hast loved me before the foundation of the world,
and in love didst redeem my soul;
Thou dost love me still,
in spite of my hard heart, ingratitude, distrust.
Thy goodness has been with me another year,
leading me through a twisting wilderness,
in retreat helping me to advance,
when beaten back making sure headway.
Thy goodness will be with me in the year ahead;
I hoist sail and draw up anchor,
With thee as the blessed pilot of my future as of my past.
I bless thee that thou hast veiled my eyes to the waters ahead.
If thou hast appointed storms of tribulation,
thou wilt be with me in them;
If I have to pass through tempests of persecution and tempation,
I shall not drown;
If I am to die,
I shall see thy face the sooner;
If a painful end is to be my lot,
grant me grace that my faith fail not;
If I am to be cast aside from the service I love,
I can make no stipulation;
Only glorify thyself in me whether in comfort or trial,
as a chosen vessel meet always for thy use.

- From The Valley of Vision

A good friend went to the hospital this afternoon with appendicitis. After about 13 hours in the emergency room, they finally carted him into surgery to remove his appendix. Another friend, who’d been with him since he’d shown was feeing anxious. So, we went for a stroll through the hospital. Before long, we found ourselves in the “healing garden”. Basically, just a well groomed area just outside the hospital which was lined with benches.

It seems to me that if they have a healing garden, they ought to be taking patients out there. Then again, maybe that’s why I’m not a doctor.

In any case, we sat down on a bench, on the the back of which was an all weather notebook attached with a steel cable. It’s a notebook intended for patients and loved ones to open and write thoughts and feelings in. A little sticker on the front also let us know that it was also a publishing resource for the KGS corporation. On the last filled out page of the notebook an anonymous writer named Tom shared these thoughts:

“The will God will never take you where the grace of God will not protect you.”

There’s almost no doubt in my mind that Tom got that advice from some author. But, regardless of where he found it or if he thought it up himself—for believers—the sentiment is true. In fact, it’s that very sentiment, rooted in the finished work of Christ, that allows the believer to keep moving foreword. To seek harder obedience. To love God more completely.

Because of Christ we can know without a doubt that what God requires of us will not destroy us. That is excellent news. Thank you Tom for the reminder. But back to the story of my friend in the hospital. He was slated to leave for a mission trip to India in just six days. That’s not going to happen now. I see this saying as speaking to this situation in two ways.

1.It is clear from this ailment that God has other plans.
2.God’s other plans are here.

God would not allow him to go and do something both honorable and something he desired to do, and yet perhaps that was his grace that he will not. We cannot know what might have happened if he went, but we can be sure that it is better that he doesn’t.

Isn’t the will of a sovereign, yet loving, God comforting? I think so.

Revelation 22:1-5:

Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.

If the end times prophecies were given as an encouragement and comfort to the church as she endures through hardship, then this passage is the the consummation. When all is said is done and all that is done is finished, Jesus’ servants will see his face at last. That’s powerful imagery.

That is nourishing food to produce spiritual stamina.

“Thou incomprehensible buy prayer-hearing God,
Known, buy beyond knowledge,
revealed, but unrevealed,
my wants and welfare draw me to thee,
for thou hast never said, ‘Seek ye me in vain’. “

We are consoled to know we serve a God who is “known”, yet beyond knowing, that we see clearly, yet see almost nothing and that has promised that if we would seek, we would surely find.