At home today battling my periodic nemesis, CFS (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome). It beats cancer, as this entry from 8.12.05 from my journal testifies.

Some days seem unbearably long. These last two weeks just drag on. It seems like it will never be over. But the end draweth nigh. I just have to persevere by God’s grace. . . . Not a good night’s sleep between mucous and not being able to breathe well. Not sure whether to fire my tongue or my nose for poor performance! Both maybe.

At least the Lord helped me keep my sense of humor, not to say my life as well.

Here are the eight marks of a fully devoted follower of Jesus as distilled from the Scriptures as best I see it.

· Pursues his joy in God by abiding in Christ through the practice of spiritual disciplines
· Manifests his godliness of character by obeying God’s word through the power of His Spirit
· Fulfills his roles in society by embracing God’s design for functioning in each of the ordained spheres – home, church, and state
· Shares his faith with unbelievers by engaging them through a wise combination of gracious words and merciful works
· Does his part in global missions by maximizing his investment through praying, sending, and/or going
· Accomplishes his ministry to others by using his gift(s) in the domain(s) of God’s calling
· Manages his resources from God by utilizing them according to the principles of biblical stewardship
· Demonstrates his love for believers by engaging in fellowship through keeping the covenants of church membership

May we give ourselves regularly to the kind of self-examination that measures our commitment to follow Jesus in terms that the Scriptures prescribes.

Some posts in my journal along the path of treatment of head and neck cancer were decidedly mundane. This from 8.11.05.

Radiation resumed yesterday. I had to take a 2 1/2 hour nap in the afternoon. It wipes me out. Had some nausea but not too bad. It was a fairly uneventful day except for the fact that I moved one day closer to finishing treatment for this horrible disease. Thank you, Father.

In retrospect, a fairly uneventful day in the fight against so formidable an enemy was a good day indeed. Any day without cancer is a great day for sure.

More in the morning romance, this from D. A. Carson.

To think that rebellious, self-centered mortals become children of God, increasingly mirroring his character, and one day enjoying the unclouded bliss of a perfect existence in the presence of the Triune God–this could not possibly be the fruit of our own endeavors. Rather, Christ is glorified, he receives the praise that is his due, as we are glorified, as we are conformed to his likeness. On the last day, Jesus Christ will be glorified in us on account of what we have become by his grace, and we will be glorified in him on account of what he has done for us.

From A Call to Spiritual Reformation, Baker, 1992, p. 59.

This, again, in the morning romance, one of many prayers for the day.

Oh, Father, help me trust in your magnanimous heart of love and not shrink back in faithless fear.

In Jesus name, amen.

This today in the morning romance with Jesus from a sermon by Charles Spurgeon.

Who would know God’s hate of sin must see the Only Begotten bleeding in body and bleeding in soul even unto death. He must, in fact, spell out each word of my text and read its innermost meaning: “He hath made him to be sin for us.” Oh depth of terror, and yet height of love! . . . How acceptable with God must those be who are made by God Himself to be “the righteousness of God in him!” I cannot conceive of anything more complete.

We turn to the book of Ezra for the answer. Twice chapter seven says the hand of God, the good hand of his God was on him (vv. 6 & 9). Every man of God worth his salt covets this.

Why was Ezra so graced? Verse 10 explains:

For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the Lord, and to do it and to teach his statutes and rules in Israel.

Many thanks to Justin Taylor for calling attention to this young man who may well fall into such a category. Decide for yourself with this video of his recent message at the 2009 Southern Baptist Convention in Louisville, Kentucky. His recitation from the Psalms alone in the beginning makes the investment of time worthwhile. The message he brings will challenge you. It did me.

David Platt: SBC Pastors Conference 2009 from Todd Thomas on Vimeo.

In reading over my journal from this time four years ago, the entries reminded me of two generous gifts Nancy and I received from God’s people. One came from our church in Idaho; the other came from the good people of OGC. Both churches took special offerings to help defer expenses that insurance didn’t cover as well as to help with our mega-deductible.

The receipt of those gifts so encouraged us! Today it made me think of Paul’s words in 2 Cor. 9:12.

For the ministry of this service (he’s talking about giving) is not only supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God.

Among the varied fruits of sacrificial giving is the overflowing of many thanksgivings to God for the generosity of His people and the supplying of significant needs. God gets the glory when His people give generously to the needs of the saints.

Do you know someone in need whom you can bless with a gift? Take it from the Apostle Paul, your giving will result in the overflowing of many thanksgivings to God.

Randy Alcorn goes after guidelines to keeping your TV a servant rather than a master. You can read the full post including the motivations he gives here.

These are the things he lists:

1. Keep track of how much time you spend watching.

2. Decide in advance how much TV to watch per week.

3. Use a schedule to choose programs for the week (perhaps at family time)— then stick to your choices.

4. Keep your television unplugged, store it in a closet, and/or put it in a remote part of the house .

5. Periodically “fast” from television for a week or a month. Notice the “cold turkey” effects.

6. Choose programs that uplift rather than undermine biblical values.

7. Use the “off” switch freely. If it’s wrong and you keep watching, you’re saying “I approve.”

8. Use the channel changer frequently. Even decent programs often have explicit commercial clips of the latest adultery-rape-murder-madstalker-child-kidnapper movies.

9. Watch and discuss programs together as a family—to avoid passivity and develop active moral discernment through interaction.

10. Don’t allow young children to choose their own programs—that’s the parent’s responsibility. As they get older, they can choose, but parents should always have veto power. Use it with sensitivity, but use it.

11. Don’t use television as a baby sitter. Provide healthy alternatives, such as reading, projects, play and interaction with parents, siblings, and friends.

12. Spend an hour reading Scripture, a Christian book or magazine, or doing a ministry for each hour you watch TV.

13. Consider dropping cable, Showtime, HBO, or any other service that you determine is importing ungodliness or temptation into your home.

14. If you find you can’t control it—or you’re tired of the battle—get rid of your television.