The Reformed and Loving It Year in Review for 2009

I enjoy watching the Year in Review that many networks broadcast during the final week of a year. (This year it was the “Decade in Review,” which is incorrect, but that is the subject of another post!) I am always surprised at what has happened and I forgot about.

I decided to do something similar with Reformed and Loving It, to review (for my own edification) what I was thinking and writing about last year and why.

In January I got to hear a really good message by Derek Thomas on Hell. (And let’s face it, anytime Derek preaches, it is worth hearing!) My good friend, Tim Phillips, got published in his denominational magazine. Green Baggins published a helpful review of The Shack. I reflected on the inauguration of President Obama and quickly grew appalled at the way in which he was receiving accolades.

In February I had a very bad experience as a result of a medication I was taking. (The insomnia I suffer from persists, but I am learning to cope with it better, by God’s grace, and I have never since had another episode like that one.) I continued to grow increasingly alarmed with the political direction of the country and had to remind myself that our hope is in the Lord. I had a wonderful opportunity to minister to a dear friend who was dying of cancer.

In March we were treated to a rare snowfall in Macon. It was, as they say, a hoot. I watched another season of The Bachelor and, believe it or not, found some spiritual insights in it. I had the privilege of baptizing an infant in our congregation and posted an apology for covenant baptism. March was a banner month for spam and I reflected on it as it relates to the Ninth Commandment.

I did a lot of writing in April, which is odd because I had major computer problems. My friend, Harry, died of cancer on Easter morning. I preached his funeral, which was one of the most personally difficult I had done. I sat up all night the night before (not because of my insomnia!), thinking about what I wanted to say. In the end, just hours before the service, I threw my prepared outline away (something preachers should NEVER do!) and preached from my heart. A friend told me it was the best sermon I ever preached. I went to Twin Lakes Fellowship for the second time and was even more blessed than the first time. (You can read about the conference here, here, and here.) My computer problems continued, testing the limits of my sanctification. Seriously. I decided to pray about it (should have started there!) and God granted me a reprieve. I wrote a review of the movie Fireproof, which to this day is at number one on Google results for the movie and continues to direct traffic to my silly little blog from all over the world.

In May I got to see a successful application and outcome of church discipline. I began to think about the Overtures before the General Assembly. (You will have to look over the months of May and June to see them.) I got to ride a mechanical bull (probably the highlight of the summer!). I heard my first Calvinistic rap, which turned out to be a very good explanation of the doctrine of Limited Atonement.

In June it was off to General Assembly. My brother came to visit later in the month and we built a picnic table.

With Harry’s passing still fresh in my mind, I was horrified when my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer in July. She had to have a mastectomy but is now cancer free. My brother challenged me to run a half-marathon with him. I trained like crazy for several months but fell off the wagon, never to climb back on. Truth be told, I hate running.

During August Macon Presbyterian hosted a concert by the Lamb Family. It (also) was a hoot, especially when one of our Ruling Elders got up and plaid Pop Goes the Weasel. Had some excitement with Ben, our youngest. He rather amazingly hit himself in the head with a baseball bat. He will have a scar for life, I fear. Later that month we took the family to the beach. We had a lot of fun, even if most of us did get stung by jelly fish. Christian George asked me to do a review of his book, Godology. The book was horrific. I wrote him and asked him if he really wanted me to publish a very negative review. He never responded, so I published it. Speaking of writing, my oldest, Matthew, wrote an essay about me that brought me to tears. Thank God for children who love the Lord.

Early in September we got to see the Space Shuttle fly overhead. (Later we saw the International Space Station.) Very cool. During September it became very obvious that I was seriously being considered for the pastorate at Covenant Presbyterian Church (though we had been in communication with them for several months at this point). A member of the Pulpit Committee advised me that I was being read more broadly now and needed to factor that in when I published posts. He was correct and I have since endeavored to do so. Reflecting on catholicity and football (you really need to read the post) has led to a prolonged (and sometimes spirited) theological discussion with an RC friend. September was a good month for space-related events. The discovery of an earth-sized planet led me to wonder about the possibility of life on other worlds. I failed in a reluctant re-election bid for our school Board, which Tammy and I both took as yet another confirming providence about Colorado. Reformed and Loving It surpassed 10,000 visits in its 17 month of existence. I was pretty pumped. I just can’t seem to stay out of politics, no matter how hard I try. I closed out the month musing about the release of a new AIDS vaccine and expressed horror over literal Obama worship.

October was Clergy Appreciation month and I urged my readers to show their love and support for their ministers. They need it.

At the November Stated Meeting of Mississippi Valley Presbytery (my last with them), Rev. Richard Wiman preached an electrifying sermon on the need for God’s servants to pray. Tammy and I flew to Denver in mid-November and I candidated there. I received 96% of the vote and prayerfully accepted. I came across a paper I had written arguing for the use of wine in communion, cleaned it up, and published it, to fairly good reviews. A friend of mine, who is relatively new to ministry, confided in me that he was having a tough time and asked for advice. I posted it (generically, of course) both as a help to him and a reminder to myself. On November 25 I revealed my intention to resign my current charge and take up the call from Covenant Presbyterian Church. The Session was saddened (as was the Church) but were very supportive, expressing thanks for how I handled the situation. Please pray for all the parties involved. I decided not to sign the Manhattan Declaration.

On December 2, I turned 42, a really cool number. With my freshly minted maturity, I decided to take on my Puritan brethren and argue for the place of Christmas observance in worship. The answers were predictable. Hehehe. I wrote a review of Embers to a Flame, a book I found to be very helpful. I close out the year by offering a Bible-in-a-year reading plan.

On the 29th I look my leave of Macon, MS. Tomorrow is my first Sunday as the minister of Covenant Presbyterian. 2009 was filled with testings and blessings, heartaches and joys, but in them all God showed himself faithful. I trust God will bless all of us in the coming year.