Author Archives: chadzaucha

Ephesians 6:19

[19] and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, (ESV)

When I think of enthusiasm, I think of John Hasbrouck–a man of unmatched vision, passion, and zeal.  John had a unique ability to see it, believe it, and do it.  He did nothing halfway.  No wonder we had such great enjoyment in discussing together Bonhoeffer’s The Cost of Discipleship for a season on Saturday mornings.   As I write this I realize just how much John impacted my life and challenges me today to live enthusiastically.  It is no wonder:  the word “enthusiasm” comes for the construction “in theos” or “in God.”  No doubt John is experiencing a glorified enthusiasm today in the presence of Jesus.  Thank you John for your legacy of enthusiasm in my life.

Lost in the shuffle of moving into college life was Josh’s 19th birthday on Saturday. I used to think that Josh and I were pretty much identical, but he has grown to be his own man and the extrovert that I will never be. God is shaping him and molding him to become a dynamic leader. I can’t wait to see the finished product.

From the ROTC students who clearly directed traffic for dorm move-in, to the student leaders who met us at the dorms to carry all our stuff (I did not carry a single box to a dorm room), to the university President who photo bombed Anna’s picture with her roommate, the entire experience made a parent feel incredibly blessed to have students attending there.  Thank you for the intentional extra effort.

Romans 12:9c

[9] hold fast to what is good. (ESV)

Left to myself, my default is negativity, grumbling, complaining, whining, and just general grumpiness.  It is much easier to find the bad in life and in people than it is to find the good–and then to hold fast to it.

Fortunately, I am no longer left to myself.  I am indwelt by the very Spirit of Jesus who has forgiven me and made me new.  By His strength I am able to overcome old modes of thinking, release the bad, and hold fast to that which is good.  My heart now tends much more toward gratitude, focusing on what I have, rather than what I don’t have.  Jesus has made the difference.

There is still a strong gravitational pull toward the bad, and sometimes I give in.  But the power of Jesus is greater and enables me more and more to hold fast to what is good.

Dinner at Lakeside Charlies

I have listened to the audio version of this book time and time again.  It never gets old.  Brother Yun was a leader in planting underground churches in Communist China.  He is a prime illustration of my personal conviction that God’s power is for God’s mission, and those sold out to God’s mission will be those who personally experience God’s power. This gentleman laid his life on the line time and time again for the sake of the Gospel. The truth is that my commitment to the mission is not to be any different, just because I live in a different context.  I too am called to sacrifice.  Because of how Brother Yun’s commitment to the Gospel challenges me to go deeper, The Heavenly Man makes the cut of 20 “Must Pack Books”.

Romans 12:9b

[9] Abhor what is evil;

“Abhor” = to regard with disgust and hatred.

Not only must we have eyes to see people the way God does with love (see previous post), we must also have eyes to see sin the way God does with disgust.

That word “abhor” is STRONG.  We are to hate sin, to be disgusted by it.  Too often we choose to be entertained by it.

Romans 12:9

[9] Let love be genuine.  (ESV)

Scenario:  You publicly “make nice” with someone you inwardly despise, giving the appearance of love for them.  You then turn around and privately talk about them in a way that is anything but loving.  In this scenario there is a disconnect between the public and the private–a lack of wholeness.  The word “integer” from which we get our word integrity refers to personal wholeness–who we are publicly is who we are privately.  We are whole.  Our lack of genuine love is ultimately a lack of integrity.  I must confess that as a pastor I have gotten pretty good at the fake love mentioned in this scenario.  I can play the part of the caring shepherd without the genuine heart.  I need an infusion of God’s genuine love–the capacity to see people as He sees them and to love them the way He loves them.

All right.  I know this is cheating to claim a whole series for one of my top 20 “must pack” books, but this is my blog and I can do what I want.  John MacArthur and I disagree on some things, especially in regard to the ministry of the Holy Spirit today.  However, his commentaries are consistently my “go to” for in-depth and yet practical biblical exegesis.  No fluffy stuff here, just good biblical scholarship.  I am a better student of the Bible because of his commentaries.  Therefore, his set of commentaries makes the cut of 20 “must pack” books.