Idols: The word “idol” is a word you come across more in the Old Testament than in the New Testament. Whereas idols in the Old Testament were often physical (the golden calf), idols in the New Testament are spiritual (goals, desires, loves, hobbies, etc.). The bottom line is that the “power” of an idol to grip the heart, turn one quietly and subtly away from Jesus, and lead one down an increasingly cold path is still very real. Do you have an idol in your heart and life? Or idols? David writes that the person close to the Lord “does not trust in an idol” (Ps. 24:4). This really lept off the page today in my daily reading from Psalms.
Character: Do not make an excuse for being short, rude, unkind, or not gentle. My natural temperament is not towards gentleness. Yet, it is a fruit of the Holy Spirit (Gal. 5:22–23) and something that I am caring more and more about as I grow older. I want my wife and kids to say of me: He is kind. He is gentle. He is patient.
Herman Bavinck on Pastors: In my reading the other day, I came across where Reformed theologian Herman Bavinck describes shepherds, or pastors, as “physicians of the soul” (Reformed Ethics). My first thought is that this is a beautiful and biblical description. My second thought is that we probably need more pastors who, in the midst of all of their theological training, are more oriented toward caring for the soul. A third thought is that pastors who are charismatic and care mostly about people experiencing the Lord will not be very good physicians if they have a poor theological foundation. The head and heart are needed. I want a pastor that is both informed and formed.
Bible Reading: What book of the Bible are you reading right now? Don’t skip around. I am convinced that it is an inferior way of reading the Scripture (this is an understatement in my view).
BJ Condrey, Ph.D. 